Whispering Phoenix Lioness's blog: "old"

I met Craig at a church called Redeeming Grace
It's like he understood my "I don't want to be here" face
I felt out of place and I smelled like beer
But he just shook my hand, said "I'm glad you're here"
He says "we'll all be judged"
But he was never judgemental
And even though my songs don't belong in no hymna
He'd quote me my lyrics, slap me on the back
Said "Man you've got a gift! How you write like that?"

Yeah I know, he sounds cool right?
Not your typical kid from Sunday School, right?
I still ain't figured out church yet
But Craig, I get
Nah he can't walk on water, turn the Napa Valley red
But he just might be tight with a man that did
Now he's not the light of the world
But I wish that mine was bright as his
Yeah he just might be tight with a man that is

When you lose a record deal, yeah all the perks fade fast
Dealership said, "We're going to need to get that mini-van back"
So we were down to one car
And broke as I felt
My wife and six kids and only five seat belts
I needed help but couldn't admit I was struggling 
Said, "Craig, it's all good"
But he knew it all wasn't
A "Hey man I'm praying for you" would've been sufficient but nah
He took roadside assistance to a whole other level
To sacrificial heights

Showed up at the ballpark after my son's game one night
In two cars, with his wife Laura watching from the other
I said "What in the world are y'all doing here, brother?"
He just laughed inside that old Chrysler Town and Country van
With the keys, and a title, and a pen in his hand
Said "Man, all you got to do is sign and it's yours"
I said "No, no way"
But he wouldn't take "no" for an answer
He said "Please do
Somebody did this for me once, just let me do this for you"
We argued about it for a little while
Then I teared up, and Craig smiled

Yeah I know, he sounds cool right?
Not your typical kid from Sunday school, right?
Nah he can't walk on water, or turn the Napa Valley red
But he just might be tight with a man that did
Now he's not the light of the world
But I wish that mine was bright as his
Yeah he just might be tight with a man that is

My pride was way too ashamed to be adequately grateful at the moment
But I signed the dotted line, and I drove the kids home
And when the cop pulled up beside us
At the light, they didn't have to duck
Because thanks to Craig
They were all buckled up

Somebody had to hurt you bad
For you to give up like that
Somebody had to break your heart in two
But that ain't me and you
So tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
You can't look me in the eye
What am I supposed to do?
When you say we're through
Why do you?

Run away, run away from love
What the hell are you so scared of?
You walk away when you've had enough
Of trying, of trying
Girl there's always gonna be some pain
A little sunshine, a little rain
It doesn't mean it ain't worth it babe
I'm trying, I'm trying to get to you
To you

One day you're gonna love again
Mess up and let somebody in
To every part of your whole world
You think it's unthinkable girl
But somebody's gonna break those walls
Somebody's gonna watch you fall
Gonna give it your all and I hope that I'm around
When you finally find out why you

Run away, run away from love
What the hell are you so scared of?
You walk away when you've had enough
Of trying, of trying
Girl there's always gonna be some pain
A little sunshine, a little rain
It doesn't mean it ain't worth it babe
I'm trying, I'm trying to get to you
To you

So tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
You can't look me in the eye
What am I supposed to do?
When you say we're through
Why do you?

Run away, run away from love
What the hell are you so scared of?
You walk away when you've had enough
Of trying, of trying
Girl there's always gonna be some pain
A little sunshine, a little rain
It doesn't mean it ain't worth it babe
I'm trying, I'm trying to get to you
To you

Somebody had to hurt you bad
For you to give up like that
Somebody had to break your heart in two
But that ain't me and you

Kiss on the hand means... I adore you.

Kiss on the cheek means.. I just want to be friends.

Kiss on the chin means... You are cute!

Kiss on the neck means... I want you.

Kiss on the lips means... I love you.

Kiss on the ears means... Let's have some fun.

Kiss anywhere else means... You're the best.

Shower your love with kisses ALL OVER

Sorry I was Never Enough..."To all the girls who look past nice guys". ** ** *I'm sorry That I bought you roses To tell you that I like you I'm sorry That I was raised with respect Not to sleep with you when you were drunk I'm sorry That my body's not ripped enough To "satisfy" your wants I'm sorry That I open your car door, And pull out your chair like I was raised I'm sorry That I'm not cute enough To be "your guy" I'm sorry That I am actually nice; Not an ass I'm sorry I don't have a huge bank account To buy you expensive things I'm sorry I like to spend quality nights at home Cuddling with you, instead of at a club I'm sorry I would rather make love to you then just screw you Like some random guy. I'm sorry That I am always the one you need to talk to, But never good enough to date I'm sorry That I always held your hair back when you threw up,and didn't get mad at you for puking in my car, But when we went out you went home with another guy I'm sorry That I am there to pick you up at 4am when your new man hit you and dropped you off in the middle of nowhere, But not good enough to listen to me when I need a friend I'm sorry If I start not being there, and being used as a door mat, only to be thrown to the side when the new jerk comes around I'm sorry If I don't answer my phone anymore when you call, to listen to you cry for hours, instead of getting a couple hours of sleep before work I'm sorry That you can't realize.. I've been the one all along. I'm sorry If you read this and know somebody like this But don't care But most of all I'm sorry For not being sorry anymore I'm sorry That you can't accept me for who I am I'm sorry I cant ever do anything right, and nothing that I do is good Enough to make it in your world. I'm sorry I caught your bf with another girl and told you about it, I thought that was what friends were for... I'm sorry That I told you I loved you and actually meant it. I'm Sorry That I cared I'm sorry That I listen to you at night and talk about how you wish you could have done something different. I'm sorry That you cant see what's right in front of you. I'm sorry That I try to make time to hang out with you, and when I finally can, you ignore me and talk to someone else. Ladies always gripe and gripe to their friends that there is never any good guys out there, and they always end up with jerks who mistreat them. Well ladies next time you're griping, maybe look up to see who you're griping to, maybe that special someone is right there hanging on your every word as usual, screaming in his head "Why won't you give me a chance?" Because the person you are usually searching for is right by you. If you're a guy and you agree with this letter, re-post as "I'm sorry "and add a little if I forgot something If You're one of the few girls with enough balls to re-post, and you would never make your guy feel this way, re-post as "To all the girls who look past nice guys". *

let me tell you about my daughter. she is 14 and lives with her dad in another city. just bc she isn't here with me physically, don't mean i don't think about her and her older brother daily. she was and still is one of the biggest lights in my life. she is a freshman in high school. From the day, she was born she has been a unique human being. she can be such a jerk one moment and so loving the next. her dad and i chose to divoce when she was 7. that is now coming back to bite me in the ass. I haven't spoken to her since 6-17-2006 for any great lengths. you have to understand this young woman and i used to be so close. buildabear days, Csi watching days, craft days, cooking days, reading days we did them all. sometimes all in the same day. she is in counseling to deal with her anger/depression management. i got a call last nite regarding her and her life. she was a cutter/SI. she mentioned to me recently that she is cutting again in one of the oh so brief calls. I wish her well and hope one day she can come back to me.

He gets off the plane in the early morning light. He walks into the airport. She had been standing at the window watching the plane land. The trip started for him in Australia two days before. He had a layover in NYC, NY. Both legs of the journey saw him sleeping. Trent wanted to make sure he was fully rested when he landed. Trent intended to call her as soon as he got to his hotel. Trent walks into the concourse. He is so focussed on getting his luggage that he almost misses the eyes centered on him, and the emotional tug on his heart/psyche. He glances around; his gaze slides over the beautiful models, which are devouring him with their eyes, waiting for their outgoing flight to be announced. His eyes landed on a gorgeous, sexy, shy angel sitting alone by the window. Trent walks right past the models; the models follow his path to see what or who could be more enticing than them. He strides right up to his angel. He whispers for confirmation, “Sabrina”? Sabrina nods. The models can not understand how he could look at her, instead of them. Trent lays his carryon down, leans in to gently kiss the lips he has only seen on web cam or dreamed about. He softly touches her hair as he kisses her. She leans into his kiss. He breaks the kiss to whisper oh so softly, “Hello, love.” Sabrina breathes back, “Hello, handsome”. She blushes as he leans back to just stare. “Did I forget to brush my teeth?” She asks. He pulls her up, reaches down to grab his carryon, slips his arm around her to pull her close. The models watch enviously as the two walk by toward the luggage carousel. His luggage comes around the conveyor belt. He grabs his luggage and sets it off to the side. His laptop accessories case comes around the belt. He reaches for that. Sabrina pulls a luggage cart over to his luggage pile. She starts putting his cases on it; he lays the last case on top. Trent takes Sabrina's hand in his as they head for the exit and the car. His company has arranged for a rental car. Trent stops at the car rental desk to fill out the final paperwork for the car; he receives the keys. Trent puts his luggage in the trunk except for the carryon. One reason Trent is able to take this time to visiting his darling is he plans to work some while visiting his darling. Therefore, his company sprung for the hotel, car and airfare. Trent follows Sabrina out of the airport. She leads him to his hotel so that he may check in. Trent goes in to check in while she stays by the cars. He receives his room key. The company retains a complete suite of rooms at that hotel chain. He has the room for a month. The front desk clerk asks Trent if he has his luggage or it is being sent over from the airport in the shuttle. Trent says the luggage is in his rental car. The front desk rings for a bell-hop. The bell-hop follows him to the curb to retrieve his luggage. The valets take the keys to the cars to park them. Trent grabs his carryon with his computer in it from the back seat. His luggage is placed on the luggage cart by the bell-hop. Sabrina and Trent follow his luggage cart up to the suite. The bell-hop asks Trent if Trent needs help unpacking. Sabrina suggests that the two of them unpack so they can talk quietly. Trent says I defer to the lady. After the bell-hop leaves, Trent tells her she doesn’t have to help him unpack. She says it is fine for her to help him. She figures the unpacking will serve two purposes; 1) she can get used to him in the flesh, 2) it gets him settled sooner. Sabrina did let him set up his own computer. He asks if she wanted to go out to dinner or get room service. She would prefer to go out. As long as they were doing something she was fine but now that all is done, she is shy again. They go to a quiet little corner deli. She starts to pay for her food; he pushes her out of the way; she pushes back. This starts a small pushing war. The deli shop person laughs at the pushing match. The pushing match breaks the shyness barrier she has. When they stop pushing each other, he still pays for lunch. They trade bites of their sandwiches. They leave the deli and go back to the car. They decide to go window shopping to get to know each other more face to face. Trent realizes he is falling more in love with her; the more he is around her. Sabrina finally stops in the center of the mall to ask if there is any way they can find a quiet corner to talk for a moment. Trent sees a little hallway; he pulls her toward that. “What is wrong, hon?” “Trent, I am falling more in love with you.” “Sabrina, I feel the same way.” “What are we going to do about it, Trent?” “Bree, first thing is we get out of here and go somewhere quiet to discuss the options.” They leave the mall to go back to the hotel. They get to the hotel suite. Trent sits down next to her, leans in to kiss her softly. They spend the afternoon talking about expectations and relationship issues. His company calls to see if the suite is adequate for his stay. He says perfect and he would send his first report into the office in the morning. Sabrina goes into the bathroom to give him privacy. He finishes the call, goes toward the bathroom to check on her. “Bree, I do have to work some to justify the time here.” “Darling, I understand that.” They go back out to the living room and decide to make dinner in the suite so they can continue the discussion of earlier. To be continued when my writing muse returns.

HE CHANGES INTO SWEATS. SABRINA ASKS IF HE HAS ANY SWEATS THAT WOULD FIT HER. HE HAPPENS TO HAVE A PAIR TOO SMALL FOR HIM BUT SHE FITS INTO THEM PERFECTLY. HE SAYS “I WORN THAT SET YEARS AGO AND FORGOT I HAD THEM UNTIL THIS LAST WEEK. HERE IS A VERY LONG T-SHIRT FOR YOU TO SLEEP IN.” THEY WIND DOWN THE SATURDAY EVENING SITTING ON THE COUCH IN FRONT OF HIS FIREPLACE. THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE UP THE SPARE BED. THEY DID THIS RIGHT AFTER CHANGING CLOTHES. HE HAD INVITED HER TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN THE GUEST ROOM. SHE AGREED. THEY BOTH DECIDED TO GO TO BED. HE KISSED HER SOFTLY AT THE GUEST ROOM DOOR AND WHISPERS. “GOOD NIGHT AND CONGRATS ON YOUR NEW JOB.” THE NEXT MORNING, SHE WAKES UP FIRST. SHE GOES INTO THE KITCHEN AND STARTS THE COFFEE. SHE IS ALREADY FEELING SAFE HERE. SHE GOES OUT ON THE BACK PORCH AND SITS TO GREET THE MORNING. TRENT WAKES UP TO THE SMELL OF COFFEE AND A SENSE OF PEACE. HE WANDERS ACROSS THE HALL BUT SHE IS ALREADY UP. HE GOES INTO THE KITCHEN; THE COFFEE IS DONE; HE POURS TWO CUPS AND CARRIES THEM OUTSIDE. SHE SMILES; “HOPE I DIDN’T WAKE YOU UP“. HE HANDS HER THE CUP WITH A KISS ON THE HEAD. THEY SIT IN SILENCE WATCHING THE BIRDS AND SQUIRRELS IN THE YARD. SHE SAYS, “I COULD GET USED TO THIS.” TRENT ASKS, “WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO TODAY?” SABRINA SAYS. “I WOULD LIKE TO BE LAZY TODAY.” “ME, TOO.” THEY CHANGE INTO JEANS, T-SHIRTS; AFTER SHE BORROWS AN OLD PAIR OF JEANS FROM HIM. SHE IS TINY ENOUGH TO WEAR A LOT OF HIS OLD CLOTHES. HE PUTS A LOAD OF CLOTHES IN THE WASHER. WHEN THE CLOTHES ARE READY, SABRINA PUTS THEM IN THE DRYER. TRENT DOES THE CLEANING UP OF HIS HOUSE (i.e. DUSTING, VACUUMING, AND SWEEPING). TRENT FOLDS HIS CLOTHES WHILE SHE IS GETTING HER STUFF TOGETHER TO TAKE BACK TO HER PLACE. BOTH ARE FINISHED AT HIS HOUSE SO THEY DECIDE TO GO OVER TO SABRINA’S APARTMENT TO DO THE SAME. BEFORE THEY LEAVE HIS HOUSE, TRENT ASKS HER TO SIT DOWN IN THE LIVING ROOM FOR A MOMENT. HE SITS DOWN BESIDE HER. SHE IS EXPECTING THE WORST. TRENT STOPS THOSE FEARS IMMEDIATELY. TRENT TELLS HER THAT AFTER TODAY HE WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE SEEING HER ON A REGULAR BASIS. HE ADMITS TO FINDING HER ATTRACTIVE INSIDE AND OUT. THE CHOICE IS HERS. SABRINA SAYS “YES, I WOULD LIKE THE SAME. I AM SURPRISED THAT YOU DON’T HAVE A LADY YET.” TRENT SAYS, “I KNEW I WAS WAITING FOR A SPECIAL LADY AND I SAW HER THAT NIGHT OF THE PARTY. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THAT LADY TO SHOWER WITH LOVE AND ATTENTION.” TRENT PULLS SABRINA CLOSE AND JUST HOLDS HER TIGHT FOR A FEW MINUTES. HE STANDS UP AND PULLS HER UP WITH HIM. “WE GOT AN APARTMENT TO CLEAN.” THEY LEAVE HIS HOUSE AND GO TO HER APARTMENT. THE NEIGHBORS ARE OUT AND ABOUT ALREADY. SABRINA LEADS TRENT INTO THE APARTMENT COMPLEX DOOR. SHE HANDS HIM THE KEY TO HER APARTMENT. HE OPENS THE DOOR AND PLACES THE KEY BACK IN HER HAND. SHE GOES INTO THE KITCHEN, THRU TO THE UTILITY HALL. SHE STARTS THE WASHER. ALL THE CLOTHES FROM THIS WEEKEND GO IN FIRST; THEN SHE GOES TO FIND THE HAMPER IN HER BATHROOM. TRENT STARTS STRAIGHTENING THE APARTMENT. SHE FINISHES CLEANING THE KITCHEN THAT SHE STARTED YESTERDAY MORNING. TRENT ASKS “WHERE IS THE VACUUM?” SHE SHOWS HIM AND HE VACUUMS HER LIVING ROOM AND HALLS. HE DUST MOPS HER ROOM, GUEST ROOM AND THE UTILITY ROOM. SHE CLEANED HER BATHROOMS. HE HEARS THE WASHER STOP SO HE AUTOMATICALLY THROWS THE CLOTHES IN THE DRYER. SHE FINISHES IN THE BATHROOM AND QUICKLY DUSTS HER ROOM AND THE GUEST ROOM. SHE FOLDS HER CLOTHES WHILE HE SITS AND TALKS TO HER FROM THE KITCHEN. THEY ORDER PIZZA FOR DINNER AND SPEND A QUIET SUNDAY NIGHT. SHE GOES TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. JUST BEFORE LUNCH, A SINGLE ROSE IS LAID ON HER DESK. SHE IS IN HER OLD OFFICE FINISHING UP HER CURRENT WORK BEFORE STARTING THE MOVE IN THE AFTERNOON TO A NEW OFFICE. HER SECRETARY TELLS HER THAT HER WEEKEND ESCORT IS IN THE HALL. SABRINA MOTIONS FOR HIM TO BE ALLOWED IN HER OFFICE. HE ASKS, “ARE YOU BUSY?” “I HAVE A COUPLE OF MINUTES.” “I BROUGHT LUNCH.” HER EYES WIDENED. HE LAYS A BASKET ON THE DESK FOR A MOMENT. SHE AGREES TO LUNCH IN THE OFFICE PARK. THEY HAVE LUNCH AND EACH GO BACK TO WORK. HE CALLS SOON AFTER SHE GETS HOME. SHE SPENDS THE EVENING WITH WORK WHICH HE KNEW SHE WAS GOING TO DO. SHE CALLS TO WISH HIM GOOD NIGHT. THAT IS HOW THE WHOLE WEEK CONTINUES EACH DAY. SHE DECIDES NOT TO MOVE INTO A NEW OFFICE, JUST BECAUSE OF HER NEW POSITION IN THE COMPANY. HER REPLACEMENT GETS THE OLD SENIOR ACCOUNTANT’S OFFICE. IT IS BIGGER THAN HERS BUT SHE DOESN’T CARE. SHE DOESN’T WANT TO MOVE HER STUFF. SHE IS SECURE IN HER OLD OFFICE. THE NEXT WEEKEND, THEY GO OUT ROLLER SKATING ON FRIDAY AND THEN A BURGER AFTERWARD. TRENT SPENDS THE NIGHT ON HER FOLD OUT BED. HE WAKES UP TO COFFEE AND WAFFLES ON SATURDAY. BOTH SPEND THE MORNING CLEANING HER APARTMENT BEFORE HEADING TO HIS HOUSE. THEY CLEAN HIS HOUSE NEXT. THEY GO TO HIS COMPANY PICNIC ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. HE FOREWARNS SABRINA ABOUT JEFF AND WIFE BEING AT THIS PICNIC. HIS COLLEAGUES ARE SURPRISED THAT TRENT IS DATING. HE ALWAYS APPEARED TOO BUSY TO DATE. HIS BOSS REALIZES THAT IT JUST TOOK THE SPECIAL WOMAN TO THAW TRENT OUT. SABRINA PINCHES RIGHT IN, SHE PLAYS THE GAMES, SERVES THE FOOD AND IS ACCEPTED BY ALL. THEY GET BACK TO HIS HOUSE AND DINNER IS WARMING IN THE OVEN. SHE IS SURPRISED HOW HE GOT DINNER STARTED WHILE THEY WERE TOGETHER THE WHOLE TIME AT THE PICNIC. “PAYS TO HAVE FRIENDS AND MAGIC IS MY MIDDLE NAME IN REGARDS TO YOU. YOU DESERVE THE ATTENTION, SABRINA. IT IS LONG OVERDUE AS FAR AS I CAN TELL AND AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED.” THEY HAVE DINNER BY CANDLELIGHT IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE. SHE SPENDS THE NIGHT IN THE GUEST ROOM AGAIN. THEY FIND OUT THE ARRANGEMENT FROM THE FIRST WEEKEND WORKS WELL. HE DOES FIND OUT SHE HAS A HECK OF A MISCHIEVOUS STREAK THOUGH. THE COMPANY PICNIC WAS THE SECOND TIME HE SAW THIS SIDE OF HER WHEN SHE GOT HIM SOAKED WITH A WATER BALLOON. TRENT IS DEFINITELY FALLING IN LOVE WITH HER. THEY CONTINUE TO DATE ON WEEKENDS, MEET FOR LUNCH AND CALL EACH OTHER EVERY NIGHT AFTER WORK AND BEFORE BED. TRENT NEVER FORGETS TO GIVE HER A SINGLE ROSEBUD EVERY TIME HE SEES HER. THE COLOR OF THE ROSEBUDS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT BUT ALWAYS A ROSEBUD. THE ONLY COLOR HE WILL NOT GIVE HER YET IS RED. THEY BECOME BEST FRIENDS AS WELL AS STEADIES. SABRINA HAS ALREADY LET HIM INTO HER LIFE ENOUGH THAT ONE WEEKEND SHE HANDS HIM THE CODE TO HER APARTMENT BUILDING TO USE WHENEVER HE COMES OVER. HE KNOWS THIS IS A LARGE TRUST ISSUE FOR HER AND HONORS THE GESTURE. A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE CODE EXCHANGE, THEY DECIDE TO TAKE A FRIDAY OFF AND GO TO THE MOUNTAINS. TRENT ARRIVES AT HER APARTMENT BUILDING EARLY. HE LETS HIMSELF IN, PASSES SEVERAL OF HER NEIGHBORS GOING OUT FOR A WALK. TRENT HEADS FOR HER DOOR. HE RINGS THE BELL. SHE OPENS THE DOOR TO FIND A BLUE ROSE IN HIS MOUTH. “ARE YOU READY TO GO, SABRINA?” “THE FOOD HAMPER, I PROMISED, IS ON THE FLOOR WITH A SURPRISE.” THE SURPRISE CARRIES THE FOOD HAMPER AND HER BAG. HER COAT IS LAYING ON TOP. THE SURPRISE IS AN OLD FASHIONED SLED. SHE HAD MADE BREAKFAST FOR THE TRIP. THEY PULL THE SLED OUT, LOCK THE APARTMENT DOOR AND HEAD FOR THE CAR. SABRINA PUTS THE FOOD HAMPER ON THE SEAT BESIDE HER WHILE TRENT STORES EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE TRUNK. TRENT CLOSES THE TRUNK. THEY GET ON THE ROAD. SABRINA HANDS HIM A CROISSANT AND A MUG OF COFFEE. SHE HAD THEM PREPARED IN THE HAMPER. THE THERMOS OF COFFEE WAS STORED IN A POCKET JUST ON THE INSIDE OF THE HAMPER. THEY GET TO THE CABIN AND UNPACK THE CAR. SABRINA STORES THE FOOD SUPPLIES AWAY, PULLS OUT THE STEAKS, AND TAKES THE CLOTHING BAGS TO THE BEDROOMS; TRENT HAD GONE OUT TO GET THE FIREWOOD FROM THE WOOD PILE BEHIND THE CABIN. HE COMES IN, GOES OUT SEVERAL TIMES. HE ALSO STACKS WOOD UP OUT ON THE PORCH. TRENT HAD ALREADY STARTED THE FURNACE TO TAKE THE SLIGHT CHILL OUT OF THE CABIN. HE STARTS THE FIREPLACE. FOR ADDED WARMTH AND ATMOSPHERE. THEY GET THEIR SEPARATE TASKS DONE AND MEET UP IN THE LIVING ROOM. BOTH LOOK AT THE OTHER, LAUGH AND SAY “WE WORK WELL TOGETHER.” THEY DECIDE TO GO PLAY IN THE SNOW FOR A WHILE. THEY PLAY FOR SEVERAL HOURS IN THE SNOW, MAKING SNOW ANGELS AND SNOW PEOPLE. SABRINA HAD PUT A POT OF WATER TO WARM FOR HOT CHOCOLATE BEFORE GOING OUTSIDE. THEY COME IN VERY COLD BUT HAPPY. SABRINA RUNS FOR THE SHOWER FIRST; WHILE TRENT ADDS MORE WOOD TO THE FIREPLACE. SHE COMES OUT IN JEANS AND SWEATSHIRT. “I WILL GET DINNER STARTED WHILE YOU SHOWER.” TRENT NODS, WALKS OVER TO KISS HER. SHE HEADS FOR THE KITCHEN. THE STEAKS ARE THAWED. SHE STARTS THE REST OF DINNER. TRENT HAS CALLED MEAT COOKER DUTY. TRENT COMES IN, TOSSES THE STEAKS ON THE BROILER. THE STEAKS ARE DONE THE SAME TIME AS THE REST OF THE MEAL. TRENT CARRIES THE STEAKS IN; SABRINA FOLLOWS WITH THE PLATTER OF VEGETABLES. TRENT PULLS HER CHAIR OUT. THEY EAT AND TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT HAVEN’T BEEN IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO MENTION THRU THE WEEK. THEY HAVE STARTED THIS TRADITION SOON AFTER STARTING TO DATE. THE TRADITION TO ONLY TALK OF IMPORTANT MATTERS DURING THE DAY AND SAVE THE MINOR STUFF FOR ONE DAY DURING THE WEEKEND. THEY FINISH DINNER AND SIT BY THE FIRE, SIPPING HOT CHOCOLATE. TRENT LEAVES HER BY THE FIRE TO RINSE OFF THE DISHES, REFILL THEIR MUGS. HE FINDS HER DOZING ON THE COUCH. SHE APOLOGIZES; HE WAVES HER APOLOGY ASIDE. “SABRINA, I KNOW HOW OFTEN YOU BRING WORK HOME. DON’T APOLOGIZE FOR DOZING OFF.” THEY DRINK THEIR HOT CHOCOLATE, RINSE OUT THE MUGS AND HEAD TO BED. HE LEAVES HER AT THE DOOR OF HER ROOM. SHE GETS A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP, WAKES UP REFRESHED IN THE MORNING. SHE HEARS NOTHING IN THE CABIN SO SHE QUIETLY TAKES THE WORK SHE SNUCK IN TO THE KITCHEN TABLE. SHE IS WORKING WHEN HE COMES IN FROM UPSTAIRS. “SABRINA!! I THOUGHT WE AGREED NO WORK THIS WEEKEND.” “ONE FILE IS ALL, I BROUGHT.” SHE CLOSES UP THE FILE AND RUNS IT BACK UPSTAIRS. THEY PREPARE BREAKFAST, EAT AND WASH UP. THE DAY IS SPEND BEING LAZY. THE NEXT MORNING, THEY GET UP, GET THE CABIN STRAIGHTENED UP AND PREPARE TO LEAVE. THE GROCERIES ARE PACKED BACK UP. EVERYTHING IS SITTING BESIDE THE DOOR. TRENT AND SABRINA TAKE ALL THE TRUNK STUFF OUT FIRST. HE LEAVES THE SLED WITH A NOTE FOR THE CABIN OWNER TO KEEP THE SLED SAFE. SABRINA GETS IN WITH FOOD HAMPER AGAIN. TRENT LOCKS THE CABIN DOOR, GETS IN THE CAR, AND STARTS THE JOURNEY FOR HOME. THEY ARRIVE AT HER APARTMENT. HE COMES AROUND, UNLOCKS THE TRUNK, GETS HER BAG OUT, GRABS THE HAMPER, AND CARRIES THE FOOD HAMPER INSIDE. SHE DEALS WITH ALL THE LOCKS. HE CARRIES THE HAMPER INSIDE TO THE KITCHEN. SHE TAKES THE BAG TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM. TRENT EMPTIES THE HAMPER. SHE STARTS THE WASHER. HE STORES THE HAMPER IN THE SPARE ROOM/OFFICE. TRENT DOESN’T SEE WHAT SHE PUTS IN THE WASHER. SHE HAD COLLECTED HIS DIRTY CLOTHES WITH HERS WHILE AT THE CABIN AND IS WASHING THEM ALL TOGETHER. HER CLEANS ARE IN THE BOTTOM OF HIS BAG. TRENT COMES BACK INTO THE LAUNDRY ROOM, KISSES HER BYE BECAUSE HE KNOWS SHE HAS THINGS TO DO BEFORE THE WORK WEEK STARTS. SHE SEES HIM TO THE DOOR. SHE IS TRANSFERRING CLOTHES FROM WASHER TO DRYER WHEN THE PHONE RINGS. SHE KNOWS WHO IT IS AND WHY. “SABRINA, DID I ACCIDENTALLY GET THE WRONG BAG?” “NO, I HAVE MINE. WHY?” “YOUR CLOTHES ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF MY BAG. HOLD IT ONLY HALF MY CLOTHES ARE HERE.” “TRENT, FIGURE IT OUT. I LEFT MY CLOTHES IN YOUR BAG SO YOU CAN STASH THEM IN YOUR GUEST ROOM FOR WHEN I AM OVER THERE. I HAVE SOME OF YOUR CLOTHES NOW OVER HERE FOR THE SAME PURPOSE.” “OH, OH OK.” THEN, IT SUDDENLY HITS HIM. SHE IS SHARING MORE OF HERSELF WITH HIM. “GOOD NIGHT, SABRINA. SLEEP TIGHT. I LOVE YOU, MY DARLING.” HE WHISPERS AS HE PREPARES TO HANG UP. “TRENT, HOLD IT. DON’T YOU HANG UP THIS PHONE! WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?” “I LOVE YOU, MY DARLING”, HE SAYS AGAIN. “I LOVE YOU, TOO, TRENT.” TRENT IS STUNNED FOR A MOMENT. THEY SAY GOOD NIGHT, AGAIN AND HANG UP. THE NEXT MORNING, SHE COMES TO WORK TO FIND A RED ROSEBUD ON HER DESK ALREADY IN WATER. HER SECRETARY WALKS IN WITH THE MORNING AGENDA. SABRINA JUST LOOKS FROM THE ROSE TO HER SECRETARY AND BACK. HER SECRETARY JUST SHRUGS. THE MORNING PASSES QUICKLY. TRENT SHOWS UP JUST BEFORE NOON. HE HAS THE USUAL BAGS WITH HIM. HE IS MOTIONED STRAIGHT INTO THE OFFICE BY THE SECRETARY. SABRINA HEARS FOOTSTEPS BUT SHE THINKS IT IS HER SECRETARY BRINGING IN A NEW SET OF FILES. SHE FINDS OUT DIFFERENT WHEN SHE SMELLS LASAGNA AND GARLIC BREAD. SHE LOOKS UP, LOOKS AT THE CLOCK AND WHISPERS, “OH MY, MY LUNCH DATE IS HERE.” HE COAXES HER OUT OF THE OFFICE WITH THE LUNCH. HE ADDS A SECOND RED ROSEBUD WHEN HER BACK IS TURNED. THEY GO OUT TO HIS CAR TO EAT. THE WEATHER IS GETTING COOLER. THEY COME BACK IN AFTER LUNCH. HE SNEAKS ANOTHER RED ROSEBUD INTO THE VASE. HE LEAVES TO GO BACK TO WORK AS HE STARTS OUT THE DOOR. SABRINA WHISPERS, “I LOVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR THE ROSEBUDS.” EVERYBODY IN THE OFFICE KNOWS ABOUT THE LOVE AFFAIR BETWEEN THEM BUT STILL GOSSIP IS SOMETHING SHE DETESTS. TRENT NODS, WHISPERS, “ME, TOO. CALL YOU TONIGHT.” THE SAME ARRANGEMENT GOES ON FOR FOUR DAYS UNTIL THERE IS A DOZEN RED ROSEBUDS IN THE VASE. ON FRIDAY, HE ADDS THREE WHITE ROSEBUDS TO THE VASE. HE KNOWS SHE TAKES HER ROSES HOME EVERY FRIDAY. THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, SHE GOES BY HIS WORK ON HER WAY HOME. SHE SEES HIS MONTE IN THE PARKING LOT. SHE PLACES TWO RED AND A WHITE UNDER HIS WINDSHIELD WIPER. SHE GETS HOME, SHOWERS AND IS DRESSING WHEN HER DOORBELL RINGS. TRENT SMILES AS SHE OPENS THE DOOR. “I BELIEVE YOU LOST SOMETHING, MA’AM?” SABRINA MOTIONS HIM TO COME ON IN. SHE HAD MADE CHILI THE NIGHT BEFORE FOR DINNER TONIGHT, LEFT SIMMERING IN THE CROCK POT WHILE SHE WAS AT WORK. TRENT SHOWERS, DRESSES AND COMES BACK OUT TO HELP WITH WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE FINISHED. HIS CLOTHES, HE LAYS ON THE WASHER TOP. SABRINA IS JUST PULLING THE BREADSTICKS OUT OF THE OVEN WHEN HE ENTERS THE KITCHEN. “LIGHT THE CANDLES, PLEASE.” HE FOLLOWS THIS REQUEST UP WITH “AND PLEASE POUR MY WATER.” SHE LAUGHS. HE KNOWS HER TOO WELL. HE KNOWS SHE DRINKS WATER, PEPSI OR FRUIT JUICE WITH MOST OF HER MEALS. HE GETS HER WATER WHILE SHE DISHES UP THE CHILI. THE BREADSTICKS GO IN THE BASKET SET OUT. THEY EAT DINNER. TRENT GOES BACK FOR SECONDS, THIRDS. “ARE YOU STARVING OR WHAT?” “YOUR CHILI IS FANTASTIC.” SHE SITS THERE AND TALKS TO HIM WHILE HE EATS. HE CALLS KITCHEN CLEAN UP DUTY SO SHE CAN GO IN TO RELAX. HE FINISHES, COMES OUT. SHE IS READING THE PAPER WHILE SITTING ON THE FLOOR. HE SLIDES INTO THE CHAIR BEHIND HER AND LEANS HER BACK IN BETWEEN HIS LEGS. THIS IS A USUAL POSITION FOR THEM WHEN SHE IS READING THE EVENING PAPER. THEY SPEND THE EVENING WATCHING TV, READING THE PAPER AND CHATTING. TRENT REALIZES IT IS TIME FOR HIM TO GET GOING. HE STANDS UP TO LEAVE. SHE STARTS TO GET UP WITH HIM. HE PULLS HER UP. HE STARTS TO SAY GOOD-NIGHT; SHE TELLS HIM HE CAN STAY THE NIGHT IF HE WISHES. HE LOVED NOTHING BETTER THAN WAKING UP THE NEXT MORNING TO HER LOVELY FACE. “I WOULD LOVE TO SPEND THE NIGHT IF IT IS NO BOTHER. I LOVE WAKING UP TO YOU.” “I WILL GET YOUR BEDDING OUT OF THE SPARE ROOM.” “I WILL GET IT, SABRINA.” SHE YANKS OUT THE HIDE-A-BED WHILE HE GETS HIS BEDDING. HE MAKES UP HIS BED. THEY KISS GOOD-NIGHT. SHE IS INSTANTLY ASLEEP IN HER BED WHILE HE IS LAYING THERE THINKING IN HIS. HE FEELS A HARD SPOT NEXT TO HIS HEAD. HE REACHES UNDER THE SHEET TO DISCOVER A KEY TIED TO HIS PILLOW. HE KNOWS EXACTLY WHEN SHE PUT THAT KEY THERE, TOO. HE HAD GONE TO THE BATHROOM BEFORE LAYING DOWN. THIS KEY, HE HAD SEEN ON THE COUNTER THIS EVENING WITH HER WRITING ON THE TAG. HE REALIZES SHE GAVE HIM THE KEY TO HER APARTMENT. HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT. HE GETS BACK UP, TIPTOES TO HER ROOM, WATCHES HER SLEEPING. HE GOES BACK DOWN THE HALL TO THE KITCHEN. HE PLACES HIS HOUSE KEY ON TOP OF THE COFFEE POT. HE KNOWS SHE HITS THE COFFEE POT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. HIS MIND IS THINKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE. HE HAS A 3 BEDROOM HOME WITH A STUDY, LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM. HIS BACKYARD IS HUGE AND TWO CAR GARAGE. HE NODS SATISFIED. HIS PLANS ARE IN HIS MIND; NOW TO PUT THEM INTO ACTION. HE WAKES UP IN THE MORNING TO HER GIGGLES OF JOY. HE KNOWS SHE FOUND THE KEY. SHE TAKES HER HOME OFFICE OUT OF THE SPARE ROOM ONE DAY AFTER WORK. TRENT COMES OVER ON THE WEEKEND TO FIND A SIGN ON THE SPARE ROOM THAT SAYS, “TRENT’S ROOM AT SABRINA. “ SHE USES A CORNER OF THE DINING ROOM AS HER OFFICE. TRENT HAS A ROOM OF HIS OWN IN HER APARTMENT NOW. TRENT USES THE ROOM WHEN HE IS THERE. HE DOES CONVINCE HER TO LET HIM HAVE SOME OF HER UNNEEDED FURNITURE. SHE DOESN’T KNOW THAT IT IS PART OF HIS PLAN TO GET HER PERMANENTLY IN HIS LIFE. SHE DOES NOTICE OVER TIME THAT HER EXTRA FURNITURE BECOMES PART OF HIS HOUSE. SHE JUST ASSUMES THAT HE HAD NEEDED THE STUFF AND KNEW SHE WASN’T USING IT. THIS NIGHT IS THE BEGINNING OF HIS NEW PLAN OF ACTION. THIS NIGHT IS A VERY SPECIAL NIGHT. TONIGHT HE PLANS TO PROPOSE TO SABRINA. THEY HAVE SPENT THE LAST YEAR GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER. THEY HAVE LIVED IN EACH OTHER’S HOUSES FOR SIX MONTHS. HE HAS WATCHED HER BLOSSOM AND GROW MORE BEAUTIFUL EACH WEEK. TRENT KNOWS HER MOODS SO VERY WELL. HE KNOWS HER WORK HAS BEEN ROUGH THE LAST FEW MONTHS WITH THE VARIOUS STAFF CHANGES. HER PROMOTION WAS ROUGH ADJUSTING TO WHILE TRYING TO ADJUST TO TRENT IN HER LIFE. THIS LAST WEEK, TRENT HAS SPENT A NUMBER OF HOURS GETTING THE FINAL FOUNDATION IN PLACE FOR TONIGHT. SABRINA BEGINS TO WONDER IF SOMETHING IS WRONG BECAUSE OF HIS PREOCCUPATION OF THE LAST WEEK. SHE HOPES HE WILL TELL HER WHAT IS WRONG TONITE. SABRINA, ALSO, WONDERS IF HE WILL REMEMBER WHAT TONIGHT IS. TRENT HIRED A CARRIAGE FOR THE NIGHT. TRENT THINKS BACK ON THE PAST YEAR AND LOOKS FORWARD TO THE FUTURE STARTING TONIGHT. HE ENTERS SABRINA’S APARTMENT, SABRINA HEARS HIS KEY. SHE CALLS FROM THE KITCHEN, “HELLO, TRENT LOVE.” SHE COMES TO THE ENTRANCEWAY TO KISS HIM. HE KISSES HER BACK. “WHY AREN’T YOU DRESSED, YET? WE HAVE A DATE TONIGHT.” “I JUST GOT HOME MYSELF AND WAS RETURNING CALLS WHEN I HEARD YOUR KEY.” “SABRINA LOVE, GOOD THING, I MADE THE RESERVATION FOR 7:30 p.m.” WHAT SHE DOESN’T KNOW IS THE RESERVATION INCLUDES A PARTY AT THE SAME RESTAURANT OF A YEAR AGO. HE ASKS THAT SHE WEAR THE SAME DRESS FROM A YEAR AGO. HE HAD BROUGHT HIS SUIT OVER TO THE APARTMENT EARLIER IN THE WEEK WHILE SHE WAS AT WORK. SHE GRABS HER SHOWER, FIRST. IT TAKES LONGER FOR HER TO DRESS THAN IT DOES TRENT. THEY FINISH DEALING WITH PHONE CALLS, RETIRE TO INDIVIDUAL BEDROOMS. TRENT HEARS THE DOORBELL AS HE IS BUTTONING HIS PANTS. HE WANTS TO GET IT BEFORE SABRINA DOES. THE DOZEN WHITE ROSES HE ORDERED HAVE ARRIVED. A ROSE FOR EVERY MONTH THEY HAVE BEEN TOGETHER. “TRENT, WHO WAS AT THE DOOR?” SHE COMES OUT OF THE BEDROOM, GIGGLES AND THEN OUTRIGHT LAUGHS. TRENT IS STANDING AGAINST THE WALL IN THE SAME POSITION OF A YEAR AGO. AGAIN, HE HOLDS A SINGLE WHITE ROSE. “MAY I HAVE THIS EVENING IN YOUR COMPANY, MY DARLING SABRINA?” “YES, YOU MAY, MY SWEET TRENT.” SABRINA TAKES THE ROSE INTO THE KITCHEN TO FIND THE OTHER 11 LAYING ON THE COUNTER. SHE FINDS THE VASE FOR THEM. TRENT GRABS THEIR COATS, LEADS HER OUT THE DOOR. THE NEIGHBORS ARE WATCHING FROM THE LAWN FOR HER EXIT. TRENT AND SABRINA GET TO THE COMPLEX DOOR. HIS CAR ISN’T IN ITS USUAL SPOT; INSTEAD, THERE IS A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE AT THE CURB. “TRENT, WHERE IS YOUR CAR?” “I HAVE RENTED THE CARRIAGE FOR THE NIGHT. MY SLEEPING BEAUTY DESERVES A CHARIOT TONIGHT.” TRENT ESCORTS HER TO THE CURB. HER NEIGHBORS ARE ALL CHEERING FOR HIS ROMANTIC NATURE. THE CARRIAGE DRIVER LOWERS THE STEP FOR THEM TO ENTER THE CARRIAGE. HE BOWS, HOLDS HER HAND AS SHE STEPS INTO THE CARRIAGE. TRENT FOLLOWS AND THE DRIVER PUTS THE STEP UP; PLACES A COVER OVER THEIR LAPS. THE CARRIAGE DRIVER WAITS FOR THE SIGNAL, SETS THE HORSES IN MOTION. THE RIDE IS SLOW AND CALMING. THE CARRIAGE PULLS TO A STOP AT THE RESTAURANT DOORS. “TRENT, HOW MUCH DID YOU REMEMBER OF OUR FIRST DATE?” “MORE THAN YOU CAN IMAGINE, MY LOVE. I REMEMBER I HELD HEAVEN IN MY ARMS THAT NIGHT AND DIDN’T WANT TO LET IT GO.” THE DRIVER PLACES THE STEPS BACK DOWN. TRENT PICKS HER UP IN HIS ARMS, CARRIES HER OUT OF THE CARRIAGE AND GENTLY PLACES HER ON HER FEET. HE ESCORTS HER TO THE DOOR, OPENS IT SLOWLY. THE SAME HOSTESS IS THERE. SHE SMILES AND ASKS, “NAME AND RESERVATION TIME?” TRENT ANSWERS, “YES, PARTY IN THE BANQUET ROOM.” “VERY GOOD, SIR. RIGHT THIS WAY.” “TRENT, WHAT IS GOING ON?” TRENT USHERS SABRINA IN FRONT OF HIM AS THEY FOLLOW THE HOSTESS. THE HOSTESS STEPS BACK AS SHE OPENS THE BANQUET ROOM DOOR. THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS. TRENT LEADS HER TO THE FIRST TABLE WHERE THIS IS A SMALL BANNER THAT SAYS CONGRATS ON ONE YEAR, TRENT AND SABRINA. SABRINA GETS THE FEELING MORE THAN A ONE YEAR CELEBRATION IS GOING ON. THEY HAVE THE SAME THINGS THEY HAD A YEAR AGO. SABRINA IS REALIZING TRENT WENT TO A LOT OF TROUBLE TO DUPLICATE EVERYTHING OF A YEAR AGO. DESSERT FINALLY ARRIVES. SABRINA NOTICES THE ROOM HAS GOTTEN QUIET AND ALL ARE LOOKING AT HER. SHE LOOKS DOWN AT HER PIE, REALIZES THERE IS A PLASTIC BALL ON TOP. SHE LOOKS AT TRENT. TRENT TAKES THE BALL, KNEELS BESIDE HER. HE PULLS THE RING INSIDE THE BALL OUT. “SABRINA LOVE, A YEAR AGO TWO COUPLES SET UP A BLIND DATE FOR US AT THIS RESTAURANT. I FEEL IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT I ASK YOU THIS QUESTION HERE. WILL YOU BE MY WIFE AND CONTINUE THIS LIFE WE HAVE STARTED?” SABRINA STARTS TO CRY TEARS OF JOY. SHE WHISPERS SOFTLY, “YES, MY DARLING TRENT. I WILL BE YOUR WIFE.” “I FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO THAT IT IS FITTING YOU ASK THAT QUESTION HERE AND IN FRONT OF THE VERY SAME PEOPLE WHO BROUGHT US TOGETHER.” TRENT SLIPS THE RING ON HER FINGER AS SHE ACCEPTS HIS PROPOSAL. EVERYONE CHEERS AS THE RING SLIDES ON. SABRINA ASKS THE ROOM AS A WHOLE, “YOU KNEW? ALL OF YOU?” THE WHOLE ROOM SAYS, “YES”. ONE BY ONE THE FRIENDS COME UP TO CONGRATULATE THEM AND THEN LEAVE. SABRINA LOOKS AT HIM. “WHAT OTHER SURPRISES ARE IN STORE FOR ME TONIGHT?” “WELL, WHAT DID WE DO THAT FIRST TIME?” “WE WENT DANCING, THEN A WALK, THEN YOU ESCORTED ME HOME AND WE WATCHED A MOVIE.” HE ESCORTS HER TO THE DOOR; THEY WAIT FOR THE CARRIAGE TO BE BROUGHT AROUND. THE DRIVER KNOWS THE ITINERARY. HE GUIDES THE HORSES TOWARD THE NIGHTCLUB. AT THE DOOR, THEY AGAIN SHOW THEIR IDS TO TABITHA. TABITHA WASN’T THERE AT THE DINNER PARTY SO SHE DOESN’T KNOW UNTIL SHE LOOKS AT THE HAND HOLDING THE ID. SHE IS HAPPY FOR BOTH OF THEM. TRENT FINDS THE SAME TABLE AS A YEAR AGO. THE D.J. REMEMBERS THEM. HE ANNOUNCES THE NEXT SONG IS A LITTLE IN LOVE. HE DEDICATES TO A COUPLE WHO WERE A LITTLE IN LOVE A YEAR AGO AND DIDN’T REALIZE IT. TRENT TAKES HER HAND, LEADS HER ONTO THE DANCE FLOOR. TRENT MAKES SURE SHE SHINES UP HIS BUCKLE WELL. THE LIGHTS DIM. TRENT PULLS HER CLOSE. THE D.J. GETS A MESSAGE FROM TABITHA THAT THE COUPLE IS NEWLY ENGAGED WHICH THE D.J. ANNOUNCES TO THE CROWD AT THE END OF THE SONG. THE LIGHTS COME BACK UP. TRENT LEADS HER BACK TO THE TABLE. THEY SIT, TALK AND LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. SABRINA GOES TO THE BATHROOM AND COMES BACK TO THE MINT IN THE CENTER OF THE TABLE. SABRINA GIGGLES AT THE MINT. SABRINA AND TRENT DANCE A FEW MORE SONGS BEFORE LEAVING FOR THE NEXT STAGE OF THE JOURNEY. THE CARRIAGE IS WAITING AT THE DOOR. NEXT STOP IS DOWNTOWN MAIN STREET. THEY GET OUT OF THE CARRIAGE, WALK AND WINDOW SHOP. THE MINT IS BURNING A HOLE IN HER POCKET. THEY STOP AT THE CORNER. SABRINA DOESN’T DISAPPOINT HIM. THE CHOCOLATE COMES OUT OF HER POCKET. SHE EATS MOST OF IT BUT SAVES THAT LAST BIT FOR HIM. HE LICKS THE CHOCOLATE OFF HER FINGERS. SHE PUSHES HIM AWAY AS HE FINISHES, WHISPERING “CATCH ME IF YOU CAN.” HE CATCHES HER QUICKLY. SHE GOES ON A SPIN TOUR IN HIS ARMS WHILE KISSING HIM. HAND-IN-HAND THEY WALK BACK TO THE CARRIAGE. THE DRIVER IS SMILING WHILE WATCHING THEM. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE HE HAS SEEN TWO PEOPLE SO OBVIOUSLY IN LOVE. THE DRIVER HEADS BACK TO HER APARTMENT. THE CARRIAGE ARRIVES AT HER COMPLEX. THEY THANK HIM FOR THE RIDE AND HIS PATIENCE. TRENT OPENS THE DOOR TO THE BUILDING AND HER APARTMENT. SABRINA HEADS TO THE BATHROOM. TRENT STARTS THE POPCORN AND SHAKES WHILE SHE CHANGES. SHE FINISHES THE FOOD WHILE HE CHANGES. THEY MEET BACK IN THE LIVING ROOM. SHE FALLS ASLEEP AGAIN. HE KNOWS, AFTER ALL THIS TIME, WHAT TO DO. PUT THIS WOMAN TO BED AND GO TO BED HIMSELF IN THE SPARE ROOM. SHE GETS UP FIRST AND MAKES THE COFFEE. SHE CARRIES A CUP TO HIS ROOM AND SITS IT ON THE BED SIDE TABLE. SHE GOES BACK OUT, STARTS ON HER WORK FROM THE OFFICE. HE HAS LEARNED OVER THE YEAR THAT IF SHE CAN’T BE FOUND AT FIRST; SHE IS EITHER RUNNING OR WORKING. SHE HEARS HIS FOOTFALLS IN THE HALL. “I WAS JUST FINISHING UP SOME WORK.” “I KNOW”, WHISPERS TRENT. “AFTER A YEAR OF DATING YOU, I KNOW YOUR HABITS WELL, MY DARLING.” SABRINA SMILES, “GIVE ME A MINUTE AND I WILL START BREAKFAST.” HE NODS AND HEADS OUT TO THE BALCONY. “THE BANQUET IS 7p.m., CORRECT? SABRINA NODS, “HARD TO BELIEVE A YEAR HAS PAST.” THE BANQUET IS AT THE COUNTRY CLUB AGAIN. THIS TIME, NO ONE IS SURPRISED TO SEE SABRINA HAS A DATE. THE EXECUTIVES AND THEIR WIVES FIND OUT QUICKLY THAT SABRINA IS ENGAGED NOW. SABRINA IS CITED FOR HER WORK AND LOYALTY TO THE COMPANY. HER ENGAGEMENT IS MADE PUBLIC AT HER APPROVAL. TRENT AND SABRINA LEAVE THE BANQUET AND GO BACK TO HIS HOUSE FOR THE EVENING. THE NEXT DAY, THEY START PLANNING THE WEDDING. DRESSES MUST BE SELECTED, CAKE ORDERED, INVITATIONS DECIDED ON. TRENT AND SABRINA SPEND WEEKENDS MOVING A LOT MORE OF HER THINGS OVER TO HIS HOUSE. HER HIDE-A-BED COUCH BECOMES ONE OF THE FEW PIECES OF FURNITURE LEFT IN THE APARTMENT, THE WEEKEND BEFORE THE WEDDING. HER DESK AND KITCHEN TABLE STAY WHEN SHE MOVES INTO HIS HOUSE. HER BEDROOM SET STAYS THERE, TOO FOR NOW. MOST OF THOSE ITEMS MEAN NOTHING TO HER SINCE THEY ARE INSTANT FURNITURE. TRENT AND SABRINA HAVE YET TO MAKE LOVE. THEY MUTUALLY AGREED TO WAIT UNTIL THE WEDDING NIGHT. TABITHA THROWS SABRINA A BRIDAL SHOWER. SABRINA IS GIVING MOSTLY MONEY AND A FEW PIECES OF SILK. THE SHOWER GUESTS ALL HAVE CHIPPED IN FOR ONE LARGE GIFT. HER DRESS IS TOTALLY PAID FOR, ALONG WITH THE ENTIRE WEDDING. ALL THE BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES ARE PAID FOR BY THE OLDER LADIES OF SABRINA’S COMPLEX. TRENT DOESN’T KNOW IT BUT THE ENTIRE GROOM SIDE IS PAID FOR AS WELL. THEY MAKE ARRANGEMENTS A FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING TO GET AWAY. TRENT HAS TAKEN AN EXTRA DAY OFF TO GET THE FRIEND’S CABIN OPENED. SABRINA PULLS IN EARLY ON SATURDAY MORNING JUST BEFORE DAWN. SABRINA DOUBTS THAT TRENT IS AWAKE YET WHICH IS NO PROBLEM BECAUSE HE WOULD HAVE LEFT THE DOOR UNLOCKED. SHE BRINGS HER OVERNIGHT BAG IN AND LEAVES THE BOX OF THINGS THAT WILL END UP AT HIS PLACE IN THE CAR. THE BOX CONTAINS FILES, OFFICE SUPPLIES AND SUCH. SHE STARTS THE COFFEE AS USUAL. SHE SITS DOWN AT THE KITCHEN TABLE. SHE IS WAITING FOR HIS MATTRESS TO CREAK. SHE WAITS MAYBE TEN MINUTES. TRENT SENSES HER PRESENCE IN THE CABIN. HE ROLLS OVER TO FIND HER STANDING IN THE DOORWAY WITH TWO CUPS OF COFFEE. HE WAS SMELLING THE COFFEE BEFORE HE ROLLED OVER. HE SMILES, MOTIONS HER IN. SHE SITS ON THE EDGE OF THE BED DRINKING HER COFFEE. THEY FINISH THE FIRST CUP OF THE MORNING TOGETHER. SHE LEAVES TO START BREAKFAST. SHE SOON FEELS HIS PRESENCE IN THE ROOM. HE REFILLS THEIR CUPS AND SETS THE TABLE. THEY TALK ABOUT THE WEDDING, THEIR WEEKS OF WORK. “ARE YOU STAYING FOR THE NIGHT OR JUST THE DAY?” “I AM STAYING THE NIGHT IF YOU CAN STAND ME THAT LONG”, SHE SAYS. TRENT PICKS HER UP OFF HER CHAIR AND SNUGGLES INTO HER NECK. SHE GIGGLES AS HE SAYS, “I CAN STAND YOU THAT LONG”. “SABRINA, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE TUXES BEING PAID FOR?” “YES, TRENT, THE LADIES OF THE COMPLEX PAID FOR ALL THE TUXES AND PAID FOR ALL THE DRESSES.” “OH OK, I WENT TO PAID FOR THE TUXES BEFORE I CAME UP HERE AND WAS TOLD THE BILL WAS PAID IN FULL.” THEY JOKE AROUND ALL DAY AND MOST OF THE EVENING. THE NEXT MORNING, HE MOVES THE BOX FROM HER CAR TO HIS. HE SAYS, “I WILL CLOSE THE CABIN AND THEN FOLLOW YOU HOME.” SABRINA NODS. THEY BOTH KNOW THE NEXT TIME THEY SPEND TIME LIKE THIS WILL BE THE WEDDING NIGHT. SABRINA IS A LITTLE APPREHENSIVE OF THE WEDDING NIGHT. SABRINA DOES REALIZE THAT TRENT WILL TAKE THINGS SLOW ON THEIR WEDDING NIGHT.

THE STORY BEGINS WITH TRENT AND SABRINA MEETING FOR ONLY THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME WAS AT A PARTY THROWN BY FRIENDS OF TRENT'S. THE PARTY HOSTS KNEW FRIENDS OF SABRINA’S. TRENT AND HIS FRIENDS WORKED IN AN ARCHITECT FIRM. SABRINA AND FRIENDS WORKED FOR AN INTERIOR DESIGN FIRM. THE TWO SETS OF FRIENDS HAVE WORKED HAND-IN-HAND ON VARIOUS PROJECTS. TRENT IS NEW TO THIS BRANCH OF HIS FIRM. SABRINA WORKS IN THE ACCOUNTING AREA OF HER FIRM. TRENT HAD SEEN SABRINA AND WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HER SO HE ASKED HIS HOSTS FOR INFORMATION REGARDING HER. "WHO IS THE VERY PRETTY WOMAN STANDING OVER THERE WITH THE SAD LOOK IN HER EYES?" HE NEVER EXPECTED TO BE SET UP BY THESE SAME FRIENDS. SABRINA HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM: SHE HAD SEEN TRENT AND WANTED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HIM SO SHE HAD ASKED AS WELL. SABRINA HAD COME TO THE PARTY WITH MUTUAL FRIENDS OF THE PARTY HOSTS. SHE HAD ASKED HER FRIENDS "WHO IS THAT GORGEOUS GUY OVER THERE NEAR THE HOSTS?" THESE TWO SETS OF FRIENDS DECIDED TO PLAY MATCHMAKER AND HOPE THAT THEIR TWO FRIENDS COULD CLICK AND MAKE SOME MAGIC TOGETHER. THE FRIENDS ARRANGED A DINNER FOR TWO AT A SEMI ELEGANT PLACE. THE FRIENDS KNEW FROM THE QUESTIONS SABRINA HAD ASKED THAT SHE WAS INTERESTED IN TRENT. EVEN THOUGH, SHE WAS AFRAID OF INTIMACY. SABRINA WAS DATE-RAPED SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE. THE PAIN IS STILL A PART OF SABRINA’S LIFE. THE FRIENDS TOLD TRENT ABOUT SABRINA’S BAD EXPERIENCE SO HE WOULD KNOW WHAT HE WAS DEALING WITH IN DATING SABRINA. THEY TOLD TRENT THAT THEY WERE ARRANGING A BLIND DATE FOR HIM WITH SABRINA BUT THEY WERE NOT PLANNING ON TELLING SABRINA THAT THEY HAD ARRANGED A DINNER FOR HER WITH TRENT. HER FRIENDS TOLD HER THAT THEY KNEW SOMEONE WISHING TO MEET HER AND THAT SHE COULD TRUST THEIR JUDGMENT. THEY GAVE TRENT SABRINA'S ADDRESS AND HOPED NATURE WOULD TAKE ITS COURSE. SABRINA’S FRIENDS ASKED HER FOR PERMISSION TO GIVE OUT THE BUILDING’S OUTER DOOR ACCESS CODE. SABRINA HAS GIVEN HER PERMISSION. TRENT IS NERVOUS BUT EXCITED TO KNOW THAT SABRINA WANTS TO MEET HIM AS BAD AS HE WANTS TO MEET HER. HE REALIZES THAT HE MUST WALK SOFTLY SINCE SHE DOESN’T KNOW THAT HE IS HER BLIND DATE. HE PLANS TWO LITTLE SURPRISES FOR HER. A SINGLE WHITE ROSE IS THE FIRST; THE SECOND IS A SINGLE CHOCOLATE COVERED MINT; WHICH HE DISCOVERED IS HER FAVORITE CANDY. TRENT ARRIVES PROMPTLY TO PICK SABRINA UP. HE KNOCKS ON THE DOOR. SABRINA CALLS FOR HIM TO WAIT A MINUTE. SHE OPENS THE DOOR AND IS TOTALLY SHOCKED TO SEE TRENT ON THE OTHER SIDE. SHE KNEW THAT SHE HAD A BLIND DATE BUT NEVER EXPECTED TRENT TO BE THE BLIND DATE. SHE WAS TOLD TO EXPECT THE DATE TO CARRY A ROSE OF WHITE, RED OR PINK. SHE IS READY EXCEPT HER SHOES AND HER COAT. SABRINA IS WEARING A SAPPHIRE BLUE DRESS WITH A BLACK BELT. TRENT IS WEARING A WHITE DRESS SHIRT, DRESS PANTS AND TIE. SABRINA OFFERS HIM A DRINK AND ASKS HIM TO GIVE HER A MOMENT TO FINISH DRESSING. HE ASKS IF SHE HAS PEPSI OR COKE, INSTEAD OF AN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE. SABRINA HAS PEPSI IN THE HOUSE. SABRINA GOES IN THE BEDROOM TO FIND HER SHOES. SABRINA COMES OUT OF THE BEDROOM TO FIND TRENT STANDING AGAINST THE WALL OPPOSITE THE DOOR WITH THE SINGLE WHITE ROSE IN HAND. TRENT PRESENTS THE BEAUTIFUL ROSE TO HER WITH A BOW. HE PLACES THE WHITE ROSE IN HER RIGHT HAND, KISSING IT SIMULTANEOUSLY. SABRINA BLUSHES, "THANK YOU." TRENT STANDS UP, "LADIES FIRST PLEASE." SHE LEADS THE WAY BACK TO LIVING ROOM, TRENT FOLLOWS KEEPING HIS HAND ON THE MIDDLE OF SABRINA'S BACK. SABRINA STOPS IN THE WALKWAY BETWEEN THE KITCHEN AND THE LIVING ROOM; SHE TURNS TO HIM TO ASK IF HE WOULD LIKE ANOTHER PEPSI AS SHE TURNS AROUND, SHE DISCOVERS SHE HAS TURNED RIGHT INTO TRENT'S ARMS THAT CLOSE AROUND HER FOR A HUG AND A GENTLE LIGHT KISS. THE KISS AND THE HUG ARE ACCEPTED BECAUSE THEY ARE KEPT LIGHT AND CAREFREE. SABRINA IS ALREADY GETTING THE FEELING SHE CAN TRUST TRENT. "I DO NOT NEED ANOTHER PEPSI”, TRENT REPLIES. SABRINA GETS HER COAT FROM THE CLOSET; TRENT TAKES HER COAT FROM HER AND HOLDS IT FOR HER TO PUT ON; SHE SLIPS HER ARMS INTO THE SLEEVES AND TRENT SETTLES THE COAT ACROSS HER SHOULDERS. SABRINA GRABS HER PURSE FROM BESIDE THE DOOR, MAKES SURE SHE HAS HER KEYS, AND LOCKS THE DOOR AS TRENT REACHES AROUND HER TO OPEN THE DOOR. HE TAKES SABRINA BY THE HAND AND LEADS HER LIGHTLY OUT THE DOOR. TRENT PULLS THE DOOR SHUT WHILE HOLDING SABRINA'S LEFT IN HIS RIGHT. TRENT AND SABRINA EXCHANGE PLEASANTRIES ON THE WALK DOWN THE HALLWAY TO THE SECURITY DOOR. TRENT PUSHES THE DOOR OPEN FOR SABRINA. HIS CAR IS WAITING AT THE CURB. HIS CAR IS A 1973 MONTE CARLO LANDAU. TRENT UNLOCKS THE CAR DOOR, OPENS THE DOOR, AND HANDS SABRINA IN, MAKING SURE HER DRESS WILL NOT CATCH IN THE DOOR. SABRINA REACHES ACROSS TO UNLOCK TRENT'S DOOR. HE SMILES HIS THANKS. SABRINA RETURNS TO HER SIDE OF THE CAR. TRENT TURNS TO HER, TAKES HER CHIN IN HIS HAND, TURNS HER FACE TOWARD HIM AND GENTLY KISSES HER NOSE, THEN HER LIPS. TRENT TAKES HER HAND IN HIS AFTER STARTING THE CAR. HE PULLS INTO TRAFFIC AND HEADS FOR THE RESTAURANT. TRENT RUBS HIS INDEX FINGER ACROSS HER KNUCKLES AND THEN HE TAKES HER HAND, KISSES HER PALM. OCCASIONALLY HE LEANS OVER AND KISSES HER ON THE CHEEK WHILE KEEPING HIS EYES ON THE ROAD. SHE TURNS TO SMILE AT HIM. SABRINA IS INCREDIBLY NERVOUS. SHE CANNOT BELIEVE SHE IS WITH TRENT ON A DATE. TRENT IS JUST SO SWEET AND ROMANTIC. SHE REALIZES HER TASTE IN MEN ISN’T SO OFF, AFTER ALL. THE OTHER MEN WOULD HAVE BEEN PAWING HER BY NOW. TRENT IS CONTENT WITH A CARESS ON THE CHEEK AND THE HAND. TRENT PULLS INTO THE LOT OF THE MATTERHORN. SABRINA TURNS, LOOKS AT HIM "YOU ARE KIDDING, RIGHT?" "WHAT IS WRONG?" TRENT ASKS. "NOT A THING, JUST SURPRISED IS ALL" SABRINA REPLIES. TRENT GETS OUT OF THE CAR AND COMES AROUND TO OPEN HER DOOR, HANDING HER OUT AS CAREFULLY AS HE HANDED HER IN. TRENT GENTLY PULLS HER INTO HIS ARMS; HE KISSES HER ON BOTH CHEEKS AND LIPS. THE KISS DEEPENS FOR A MOMENT. TRENT REALIZES HE IS FALLING IN LOVE FOR THE SECOND TIME; IN FACT, BOTH OF HIS LOVES ARE SIMILAR TYPES IN PERSONALITY, COLORING, AND GENERAL LOOKS. TRENT TAKES SABRINA'S HAND; TUCKS HER HAND IN THE CROOK OF HIS ARM; THEY WALK ACROSS THE LOT. HE OPENS THE DOOR FOR HER, GENTLY LEADING HER FORWARD WITH HIS HAND ON HER BACK. TRENT HOLDS HER HAND WHILE WAITING FOR THE HOSTESS TO RETURN TO THE RESERVATION STAND. THE HOSTESS ASKS IF THEY HAVE A RESERVATION. TRENT REPLIES "YES, TABLE FOR TWO, NON-SMOKING AT 7:00pm." THE HOSTESS HAS THEM WAIT FOR A MOMENT WHILE THE TABLE IS PREPARED. "RIGHT THIS WAY, PLEASE." THE HOSTESS LEADS THEM TO THE TABLE. TRENT PUTS HIS HAND AT THE SMALL OF HER BACK AGAIN TO LEAD SABRINA FORWARD. SABRINA UNBUTTONS HER COAT; TRENT SLIPS IT OFF HER ARMS AND LAYS IT ACROSS THE CHAIR NEXT TO HER. TRENT PULLS SABRINA'S CHAIR OUT. SABRINA SITS AND AS TRENT PUSHES HER CHAIR IN, HE KISSES THE BACK OF HER NECK. SABRINA SHIVERS FROM THE CONTACT. THE TABLE IS IN A SECLUDED CORNER. THE CANDLES PROVIDE JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ATMOSPHERE. TRENT REALIZES THE WHITE ROSE WAS LEFT IN THE CAR. HE EXCUSES HIMSELF FOR A MOMENT. HE WALKS OUT TO THE CAR AND GETS THE WHITE ROSE. HE RETURNS TO THE TABLE, AS HE WALKS BEHIND HER. HE LEANS DOWN TO KISS HER NECK AGAIN AND RUNS THE WHITE ROSE LIGHTLY ACROSS HER NECK. SABRINA JUMPS AT HIS TOUCH. SHE IS STARTLED. TRENT APOLOGIZES FOR THE SLIP. HE FORGOT FOR A SECOND. TRENT BRINGS THE BEAUTIFUL ROSE ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SIDE OF SABRINA'S NECK TO HER CHIN. HE TAPS HER NOSE WITH THE ROSE BEFORE LAYING THE WHITE ROSE DOWN BESIDE SABRINA'S LEFT HAND. SABRINA SMILES WARILY AT HIM. TRENT KNOWS THE NEXT MOVE MUST BE HERS. HE KNOWS HE NEEDS TO BACKUP OR PERMANENTLY SCARE HER AWAY. THE WAITER ASKS WHAT THEY WOULD LIKE FROM THE BAR. SABRINA ORDERS WATER ONLY WITH HER DINNER. TRENT ORDERS WATER ALSO. THE WAITER GIVES THEM A FEW MINUTES MORE TO SELECT THEIR ORDER. TRENT IS OCCASIONALLY STROKING SABRINA'S HAND WHILE HOLDING IT. "ARE YOU READY TO ORDER?" "YES, SALAD IS ALL, I BELIEVE." THE WAITER RETURNS WITH THE WATER. "ARE YOU READY TO ORDER, SIR?" "YES, THE LADY WOULD LIKE A CHEF SALAD WITH LIGHT MAYONNAISE ON THE SIDE." "I WOULD LIKE LASAGNA WITH GARLIC BREAD, SIDE SALAD WITH LIGHT MAYO." "VERY GOOD, SIR." TRENT STANDS AS SABRINA EXCUSES HERSELF FOR A MOMENT. WHEN SHE RETURNS TO THE TABLE, SHE MAKES A BOLD MOVE OF THE EVENING FOR HER. AS TRENT PULLS HER CHAIR OUT FOR HER, SHE KISSES HIM. THE KISS STAYS LIGHT. TRENT SMILES. TRENT TAKES HER HANDS IN HIS, TURNS HER PALMS UP, AND KISSES BOTH PALMS. SABRINA SITS BACK DOWN AS TRENT PUSHES HER CHAIR IN. HE RETURNS TO HIS SIDE OF THE TABLE. THE WAITER BRINGS OUT THE SALADS AND MORE WATER. THEY START TO EAT DINNER. THE CONVERSATION IS LIGHT AND FREE. THEY TOUCH ON EVERY TOPIC FROM WORK TO BOOKS READ. THE WAITER BRINGS OUT TRENT'S LASAGNA AND TAKES TRENT'S SALAD PLATE AWAY. THEY FINISH DINNER AND SELECT DESSERT. TRENT ORDERS PUMPKIN PIE WHILE SABRINA ORDERS A VERY TINY PIECE OF GRASSHOPPER PIE. TRENT IS IN FOR A FEW SURPRISES OF HIS OWN. SABRINA PLANS A WALK AND A NIGHT OF DANCING FOR THE TWO OF THEM. SHE REALIZES HOW APPROPRIATE THESE TWO ACTIVITIES ARE. TRENT ASKS FOR THE CHECK. HE PAYS THE CHECK AND SABRINA PAYS THE TIP. TRENT PULLS OUT SABRINA'S CHAIR, HELPING HER TO HER FEET. THEY KISS LIGHTLY. HE PICKS UP SABRINA'S COAT AND HOLDS IT OUT FOR HER TO SLIP INTO, SETTLING IT ACROSS HER SHOULDERS WHILE LIGHTLY CARESSING HER SHOULDERS. THEY HOLD HANDS OUT OF THE RESTAURANT AND ACROSS THE LOT. TRENT UNLOCKS AND OPENS THE CAR DOOR FOR SABRINA. SHE GETS IN HER SIDE AND REACHES ACROSS TO UNLOCK HIS DOOR. TRENT GETS IN, AND JUST STARES AT SABRINA FOR A MOMENT. “IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG LIKE MAKEUP SMEARED, CRUMBS ON MY FACE?" TRENT KNOWS HE IS ABOUT TO TAKE A BIG RISK ASKING SABRINA THIS QUESTION BUT HE FEELS HE MUST. FINALLY TRENT SAYS, "I THINK YOU ARE SITTING TOO FAR FROM ME." SABRINA LAUGHS AND CAREFULLY MOVES OVER TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE CAR. SHE SITS ON THE CENTER OF THE SEAT. “DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO BE CLOSER TO ME? DO WHAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH, SABRINA.” SHE SLIDES OVER MORE UNTIL SHE IS RIGHT UP AGAINST HIM. HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND HER AND DRIVES WITH HIS LEFT HAND. HIS SHOULDER MAKES A COMFORTABLE PILLOW AS SHE LAYS HER HEAD BACK. SABRINA LAYS HER HAND ON HIS THIGH. HE KEEPS HIS HAND JUST ON HER SHOULDER. THE WHITE ROSE; SHE KEEPS IN HER HAND ALMOST THE ENTIRE EVENING. HER SURPRISES FOR HIM ARE GETTING READY TO START. SABRINA TELLS TRENT THE WAY TO THE NIGHTCLUB. HE FEELS LIKE HE HAS KNOWN HER FOR ETERNITY. THEY GET OUT ON HIS SIDE OF THE CAR. HE SLIPS HIS ARM AROUND HER SHOULDERS. SHE PUTS HER ARM AROUND HIS WAIST. THEY WALK INTO THE NIGHTCLUB. SABRINA SEES HER FRIEND, TABITHA AS THE DOOR CLERK. TABITHA AND SABRINA CHAT FOR A MOMENT AS TABITHA CHECKS IDS. SABRINA SHOWS HERS AND TRENT SHOWS HIS. TRENT SLIDES HER COAT OFF HER SHOULDERS. HE CANNOT RESIST KISSING THE BACK OF HER NECK A COUPLE OF TIMES. SABRINA WAITS WHILE TRENT CHECKS THEIR COATS. THEY FIND A TABLE. SABRINA AGREES WITH TRENT THAT THEY WILL NOT NEED ALCOHOL TO FEEL GOOD TONIGHT. HE FINDS OUT RIGHT THEN THAT SABRINA DOESN’T DRINK ALCOHOL ALOT. THE MOOD IS INTOXICATING ENOUGH. THE D.J. IS PLAYING THE QUICKER TEMPO SONGS RIGHT NOW. THE EAGLES, AND A FEW HALL AND OATES TUNES ARE THE SONGS OF THE EVENING. THEY JUST SIT AND TALK A WHILE LISTENING TO THE SONGS. SUDDENLY, A GUY, WHO HAS BEEN WATCHING SABRINA SINCE TRENT AND SHE WALKED IN, WALKS OVER TO THE TABLE. HE INVITES HER TO DANCE. TRENT TELLS HER THAT THE DECISION IS UP TO HER. SHE CAN ACCEPT OR DECLINE THE INVITATION. SHE DECLINES THE INVITATION. SHE WOULD RATHER ENJOY TRENT'S COMPANY AND WAIT FOR A SLOW SONG OR TWO. ABOUT THAT TIME, THE D.J. STARTS PLAYING A SLOW SET OF 80'S LOVE SONGS (I.E. BARRY MANILOW, JOURNEY, AND FOREIGNER). TRENT SAYS TO HER, "WOULD YOU LIKE TO DANCE?" SHE REPLIES "OF COURSE I WOULD." SABRINA ANSWERS TRENT WITH HER FACIAL EXPRESSION BEFORE VOCALIZING THE ANSWER. TRENT STANDS UP, EXTENDS ONE HAND. SABRINA PLACES HER HAND IN HIS HAND AND LETS HIM PULL HER INTO HIS ARMS. THEY GO HAND IN HAND OUT ONTO THE DANCE FLOOR. SHE TURNS INTO HIS ARMS. HIS HANDS INTERTWINE LIGHTLY BEHIND HER BACK. SABRINA'S HANDS REST UPON HIS SHOULDERS. THEY DANCE TO EVERY SONG GETTING CLOSER TO EACH OTHER UNTIL FINALLY SHE IS SECURING IN HIS ARMS. SABRINA'S ARMS GO AROUND HIS NECK, AS HIS HANDS ARE RUBBING HER BACK. SHE DOES FEEL SAFE AND SECURE SO FAR. SHE CAN HEAR HIS HEARTBEAT. IT IS STRONG AND STEADY. THE OLD SPICE COLOGNE IS NOT BAD EITHER. HER HEAD RESTS ON HIS CHEST AND THEY GET EVEN CLOSER EMOTIONALLY IF THAT IS POSSIBLE. THE WORLD AROUND THEM IS A DISTANT ROAR. THE ONLY THINGS THEY ARE AWARE OF IS EACH OTHER AND THE MUSIC. THE OTHER COUPLES ON THE FLOOR LOOK AT THEM. THE OTHER COUPLES SEE THE LOVE THAT IS SHINING FROM WITHIN THEM. A LOVE; NEITHER OF THEM EXPECTED OR REALIZED, HAD HAPPENED. AS THE NIGHT HAS GONE ON, THE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN GETTING DIMMER. THE CLOCK READS 10:00pm BUT IT FEELS ON THE ONE HAND LIKE THE EVENING HAS JUST STARTED, ON THE OTHER LIKE THE EVENING IS JUST ENDING. THE EVENING WILL BE ENDING SHORTLY SINCE SABRINA HAS BEEN UP SINCE 6 a.m. THE D.J. STARTS PLAYING QUICKER TEMPO SONGS AGAIN. TRENT AND SABRINA STOP DANCING AND KISS EACH OTHER GENTLY. THE KISS DEEPENS QUICKLY FOR A MOMENT. TRENT TAKES HER BACK TO THE TABLE. HE LEAVES HER FOR A MOMENT WITH A GENTLE KISS WHILE HE GOES TO TALK TO THE D.J. HE MAKES A REQUEST FOR A SPECIAL SONG. THE SONG IS ALMOST PARADISE BY MIKE RENO AND ANNE WILSON. THE D.J. AGREES TO PLAY THE SONG FOR A VERY SPECIAL COUPLE. TRENT WALKS BACK TO THE TABLE. HE LAYS HIS HAND ON HER BACK AND LEANS DOWN TO KISS HER NECK AS HE COMES AROUND IN FRONT OF HER. SHE TURNS INTO THE KISS. TRENT SITS AND HOLDS HER HAND AS THEY TALK ABOUT MINOR THINGS. THEY DISCOVER THE LIKES AND DISLIKES OF THE OTHER. THE D.J. ANNOUNCES THEY HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST: THE ONLY ONE FOR THE EVENING. HE FINDS THE SONG, STARTS PLAYING THE MUSIC AND TRENT DOES NOT ASK THIS TIME IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO DANCE. HE PULLS SABRINA OUT ON THE DANCE FLOOR AND INTO HIS ARMS. HIS ARMS CLOSE TIGHTLY AROUND SABRINA BRINGING HER CLOSE TO HIS BODY. HE WHISPERS, “THIS SONG TITLE SAYS HOW I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL FOR YOU; LIKE I HAVE ALMOST PARADISE IN MY ARMS“. HE CONTINUES WITH “THE ONLY MAR IN THE EVENING WAS MY LAPSE OF THOUGHT“. TRENT WHISPERS TO HER, “HAVE YOU EVER BUCKLE SHINED?” SABRINA RUBS HER CHEEK AGAINST HIS CHEST AS SHE SHAKES HER HEAD NO. HE TELLS HER, “THEY ARE BUCKLE SHINING RIGHT NOW; DANCING SO CLOSE TO SHINE UP HIS BELT BUCKLE.” SHE NODS HER HEAD THAT SHE HEARD HIM. SABRINA LAYS HER CHEEK AGAINST TRENT, LISTENING TO HIS STRONG HEARTBEAT. SABRINA REALIZES SHE IS FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM. SHE FELL IN LOVE ONCE BEFORE WITH A BOY OF SIMILAR PERSONALITY, AND GENERAL LOOKS. TRENT NUZZLES HER HAIR WHILE SHE NUZZLES HIS CHEST. THE SONG ENDS AND THEY SEPARATE WITH A KISS. SHE DOES NOT WANT THE NIGHT TO END; TRENT LOOKS AT THE D.J. "THANK YOU FOR THIS." THE D.J. MOTIONS "NO PROBLEM ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP ROMANCE/LOVE ALONG." TRENT AND SABRINA WALK TO THE DOOR. HE RETRIEVES HER COAT FOR HER. SHE EXCUSES HERSELF FOR A MOMENT TO REPAIR THE MAKEUP. TABITHA FOLLOWS HER INTO THE BATHROOM. "SO WHO IS THE HUNK?" "HIS NAME IS TRENT AND I MET HIM AT A PARTY LAST WEEKEND. I THINK I AM FALLING IN LOVE WITH HIM, TABS." TABITHA SMILES AT HER. TABS KNOWS HOW HARD IT IS FOR SABRINA TO LET A MAN GET NEAR HER AGAIN. THEY LEAVE THE BATHROOM TOGETHER. TRENT IS WAITING FOR HER JUST OUTSIDE. HE HUGS HER CLOSE TO HIM BEFORE HELPING HER INTO HER COAT. THEY KISS LIGHT AND QUICKLY. TONIGHT IS NOT AN EVENING EASILY FORGOTTEN. THIS NIGHT IS TOTALLY MAGIC BY ITSELF. THE CAR IS PARKED AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE PARKING LOT. "I WISH WE HAD THOUGHT TO PARK CLOSER." TRENT ESCORTS HER BACK INSIDE TO TABITHA’S SIDE. “I WILL BRING THE CAR UP TO THE DOOR.” TRENT GOES AND GETS THE CAR. HE LEAVES THE ENGINE RUNNING TO WARM UP THE CAR. HE GOES IN AND ESCORTS HER OUT TO THE WARM CAR. TRENT LETS HER UNLOCK THE DOOR. HE HAS AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE FOR THIS. HE KEEPS HIS ARMS AROUND HER AND HE KISSES HER NECK TO HIS HEART'S CONTENT. SHE GETS THE DOOR UNLOCK BUT HE OPENS THE DOOR HIMSELF. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, DOES HE ALLOW HER TO OPEN THE DOOR. HE CONSIDERS HIMSELF A TRUE GENTLEMAN. SABRINA SLIDES IN, AND TRENT GETS IN BESIDE HER. HE PULLS HER CLOSE TO HIM. SHE SHIVERS BECAUSE OF THE NIP IN THE AIR. THEY KEEP EACH OTHER CLOSE AS THE CAR WARMS UP MORE. HE PUTS THE CAR INTO GEAR AND ASKS "WHERE TO NOW?" SHE DIRECTS HIM TO PARK NEAR MAIN STREET. THEY PARK BUT DO NOT GET OUT OF THE CAR RIGHT AWAY. THEY STAY IN THE CAR AND CUDDLE AWHILE. TRENT HANDS HER THE MINT HE BOUGHT EARLIER FOR HER BEFORE HE CAME TO GET HER. SABRINA PUTS THE MINT IN HER POCKET. THEY GET OUT OF THE CAR AND START WALKING. THEY WALK ARM IN ARM DOWN MAIN STREET WINDOW-SHOPPING. SABRINA REMEMBERS THE CHOCOLATE MINT. SHE TAKES IT OUT OF HER POCKET, UNWRAPS IT, TAKES A BITE AND FEEDS A BITE TO TRENT. HE TAKES A HUGE BITE. SABRINA FINISHES IT AND STARTS TO LICK THE CHOCOLATE OFF HER FINGERS. TRENT TAKES HER HAND IN HIS HAND AND RAISES HER HAND TO HIS OWN LIPS TO LICK THE CHOCOLATE OFF HER FINGERS. HE KEEPS EYE CONTACT WHILE DOING THIS. TRENT KISSES HER WITH THE LAST TASTE OF CHOCOLATE STILL ON HIS BREATH. A SOFT, GENTLE FRENCH KISS RESULTS. THEY STROLL FARTHER DOWN MAIN STREET. THE AIR IS COOL BUT REFRESHING. SABRINA DECIDES TO BE AN IMP AND PUT HER HANDS UNDER TRENT'S COAT. SHE PUTS THEM RIGHT NEXT TO HIS DRESS SHIRT ON HIS BACK. HE SAYS "GOSH YOUR HANDS ARE LIKE ICE." "LET ME WARM UP YOUR HANDS." HE PUTS HER LEFT IN HIS RIGHT AND PUTS BOTH IN HIS RIGHT COAT POCKET. THEY LOOK IN ALL THE STORE WINDOWS ALONG MAIN STREET. THEY CROSS THE STREET AND LOOK IN THE WINDOWS ON THE OTHER SIDE. HE SWITCHES HER HANDS SO THE RIGHT CAN WARM UP. HE PUTS HER RIGHT HAND IN HIS POCKET WITH HIS LEFT HAND. HE KEEPS HIMSELF BETWEEN HER AND THE BUILDINGS BUT AWAY FROM THE CURB. HALF WAY DOWN THE STREET SABRINA SUDDENLY PULLS AWAY FROM HIM; SHE QUICKLY TURNS AND BACKPEDALS. SHE TEASES TRENT ABOUT NOT CATCHING HER. HE SAYS, "OH, I COULD CATCH YOU." "YOU COULD NOT CATCH ME IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT. I WOULD EVEN SAY I COULD BEAT YOU TO THE CAR." "YOU HAVE A MINUTE HEAD START TO PROVE IT." OF COURSE HE CATCHES HER WITHIN TWO MINUTES. HE PICKS HER UP AND TWIRLS HER AROUND. SHE PUTS HER HANDS ON HIS SHOULDERS. THE AFFECTION THAT THEY HAVE FOR EACH OTHER CONTINUES TO GROW. THE KISSES BECOME LONGER. THEY WALK BACK TO THE CAR VERY SLOWLY. THEY EXCHANGE MANY KISSES, HUGS, AND CARESSES ON LIPS, CHEEKS, AND NECKS. THEY REACH THE CAR. TRENT UNLOCKS THE DOOR, OPENS IT, AND SABRINA SLIDES IN. TRENT GETS IN AND ASKS, "WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?" "DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER AND A BOWL OF POPCORN SOUND GOOD?" "ADD A CHOCOLATE MILK TO THAT AND YOU HAVE A DEAL." SHE SAYS, "SURE, DO YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO MY APARTMENT THEN." “ARE YOU SURE, SABRINA? I WANT YOU TO FEEL SAFE.” TRENT KEEPS A CHANGE OF CLOTHING IN THE BACK SEAT IN CASE HE EVER NEEDS CASUAL CLOTHING. THEY GET TO HER APARTMENT; HE ASKS IF SHE MINDS HIM CHANGING INTO JEANS AND SWEATER. SHE SAYS NO. SO HE REACHES IN BACK AND PULLS HIS BAG OUT WITH A QUESTIONING LOOK IN HIS EYES. "YOU SURE?" SHE PICKS UP THE ROSE OFF THE SEAT. "YES, I AM SURE IT IS OKAY." TRENT ADMITS TO HER THAT HE KNOWS ABOUT THE RAPE AND UNDERSTANDS IF SHE WOULD RATHER HE NOT CHANGE. SABRINA SMILES, “YES, I AM VERY SURE AND THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING MY CAUTION.” HE WAS FOREWARNED SHE WILL CHANGE THE CODE IF SHE FEELS UNSAFE OR OFF. HE DOESN’T THINK SHE WILL CHANGE IT THOUGH BUT HE WILL CONTINUE TO ASK FOR ENTRANCE TO THE BUILDING. TRENT TAKES HER HAND IN HIS; THEY WALK UP TO THE DOOR. SHE PUNCHES IN THE SECURITY CODE WHILE HE LOOKS AWAY. THE DOOR BUZZES; TRENT PULLS THE DOOR OPEN WITH HIS FREE HAND. SABRINA STOPS TO GET HER MAIL. THEY CONTINUE UPSTAIRS. AT HER DOOR, SHE GIVES HER KEY TO TRENT SO HE CAN OPENS THE DOOR. TRENT UNLOCKS AND SWINGS THE DOOR OPEN. HE HANDS THE KEYS TO SABRINA. SABRINA PLACES THEM AND THE ROSE ON THE TABLE BY THE DOOR. TRENT OPENS THE CLOSET AND HELPS HER OUT OF HER COAT, HANGS IT UP AND THEN HIS OWN. SABRINA SAYS, “IF TRENT COULD GIVE HER FIVE MINUTES TO CHANGE, HE COULD USE THE BATHROOM OR IF HE PREFERS HE CAN USE THE SPARE BEDROOM.” HE SAYS, “NO PROBLEM; I WILL WAIT FOR THE BATHROOM.” HE KISSES HER AT THE DOOR TO HER BATHROOM. TRENT PUTS HER ROSE IN WATER WHILE SHE CHANGES. SHE CHANGES INTO JEANS AND SWEATSHIRT. SHE PUTS ON WARM, FUZZY SOCKS AND TAKES OFF HER HEELS. SHE COMES OUT AND KISSES HIM ON THE CHEEK. "ALL YOURS." "THE POPCORN TAKES FIFTEEN MINUTES." SABRINA TAKES CARE OF THE MAIL WHILE TRENT CHANGES AND BEFORE SHE GOES IN TO MAKE THE POPCORN. BEFORE HE GOES IN TO THE BATHROOM, HE GLANCES UP AND BLOWS HER A KISS. HE CHANGES INTO JEANS AND SWEATER. TRENT FOLDS UP HIS SUIT TO PUT IN HIS BAG AND PLACES HIS SHOES ON TOP. HE CARRIES EVERYTHING OUT TO THE LIVING ROOM AND PLACES IT BY THE FRONT DOOR. HE FOLLOWS THE SOUND OF HER SINGING AND THE SMELL OF FRESH POPCORN TO THE KITCHEN. SHE IS DANCING AROUND THE KITCHEN WHILE HE WAS CHANGING. THE BEAUTIFUL ROSE SITS ON THE BREAKFAST COUNTER. THERE IS ONE HUGE BOWL OF POPCORN, TWO GLASSES OF CHOCOLATE MILK ON THE TABLE. THERE IS A PAN OF CINNAMON ROLLS ON THE TABLE TOO. THE CINNAMON ROLLS ARE FOR BREAKFAST. SABRINA USUALLY MAKES CINNAMON ROLLS ON THE WEEKEND. TRENT CARRIES THE BOWL OF POPCORN AND ONE GLASS INTO THE LIVING ROOM. SABRINA CARRIES THE OTHER GLASS. SHE TURNS THE LIGHT OFF IN THE KITCHEN AS SHE LEAVES THE ROOM. CANDLES ARE LIT ALL AROUND THE APARTMENT. TRENT PUTS HIS ITEMS DOWN, TURNS TO TAKE HERS. SHE TURNS THE OVERHEAD LIGHT OFF, TURNS THE MOVIE ON, AND MAKES SURE THE ANSWERING MACHINE IS ON AND PHONE RINGER IS OFF. SABRINA USUALLY TURNS THE PHONE OFF ON THE WEEKEND. TRENT TAKES OVER ONE END OF THE COUCH. SABRINA, AS A JOKE OF COURSE, TAKES OVER THE OTHER. TRENT COUNTS TO TEN, REACHES OVER AND PULLS HER TOWARD HIM. SHE FALLS RIGHT INTO HIS LAP. THEY TOUSLE THROUGH THE OPENING CREDITS. TRENT CANNOT RESIST TICKLING SABRINA A BIT. SABRINA GETS UP, TURNS AROUND, AND SITS BACK INTO HIS LAP. SHE NESTLES BETWEEN HIS LEGS LEANING AGAINST HIS CHEST. TRENT REALIZES SOMETHING SABRINA IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMAN IN THE WORLD. THEY WATCH THE MOVIE, FEED EACH OTHER POPCORN AND GENERALLY HAVE A GREAT TIME UNTIL SABRINA ACCIDENTALLY SLIPS OFF TO SLEEP. HE SUDDENLY REMEMBERS THAT SABRINA WAS UP MUCH EARLIER THAN HE WAS THIS MORNING. SHE IS REQUIRED TO BE UP EARLY MOST MORNINGS ACCORDING TO HER SCHEDULE. HE HOLDS HER AND OCCASIONALLY KISSES HER HAIR. THE MOVIE ENDS, HE CAN BE A NICE GUY AND LEAVE OR STAY UNTIL SHE WAKES UP. HE DECIDES TO CLEAN UP THE MESS AND IF SHE IS STILL SLEEPING; LEAVE HER A NOTE TELLING HER THAT HE PLANS TO CALL LATER IN THE MORNING. TRENT MOVES SABRINA OUT OF HIS LEGS. TRENT GENTLY LAYS HER HEAD ON A PILLOW, KISSES HER LIPS. HE TAKES THE EMPTY BOWL AND GLASSES OUT TO THE KITCHEN. TRENT COMES OUT OF THE KITCHEN TO FIND THAT SLEEPING BEAUTY IS STILL OUT OF IT. HE REMEMBERS DURING CONVERSATION EARLIER SHE HAD SAID HER COUCH/HIDE ABED WAS JUST DELIVERED. HE TAKES A CHANCE ON MOVING HER TO FIND OUT. THE COUCH; THAT THEY WERE SITTING ON, IS THE HIDE ABED. HE PULLS IT OUT AND QUICKLY MAKES THE BED UP. HE GENTLY MOVES SABRINA BACK ON THE BED. SHE SLEEPS ON. HE REALIZES THE ONLY COURSE OF ACTION FOR HIM IS TO STAY THE NIGHT. THAT WAY, HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WRITE A NOTE AND HAVE HER DRAW THE WRONG CONCLUSION. HE CLIMBS INTO THE BED WITH HER. SHE ROLLS OVER AND SNUGGLES WITH HIM. HE HOLDS HER CLOSE AND BOTH FALL ASLEEP. SHE WAKES UP THE NEXT MORNING BEFORE HE DOES. SABRINA DISCOVERS A HAND IS UNDER HER SWEATSHIRT ON HER STOMACH. SHE IS STARTLED AT FIRST AND SCARED. THE FACT THAT TRENT DID NOTHING BUT PUT THEM TO BED IS A TOTAL SHOCK TO SABRINA. SHE SMILES AT HIS CONSIDERATION OF HER. SHE ROLLS OVER, KISSES HIM GENTLY ON THE LIPS. HE STARTS TO STIR; HE STRETCHES FULLY. HE OPENS HIS EYES AND SMILES AT HER. THEY EXCHANGE GOOD MORNING HUGS, KISSES AND THE WORDS. SABRINA GETS UP AND HEADS OUT TO THE KITCHEN TO MAKE COFFEE. TRENT HEADS FOR THE BATHROOM. SHE ALSO PUTS THE CINNAMON ROLLS IN THE OVEN. TRENT WALKS IN THE KITCHEN. WHILE HE HAD BEEN IN THE BATHROOM, HE HAD TAKEN HIS SWEATER OFF SO HE IS CLAD IN JEANS ONLY. TRENT HOPES SHE WON'T MAKE THE WRONG CONCLUSION. SHE HEARS HIS STEP ON THE KITCHEN FLOOR, SHE TURNS AROUND AND GIVES HIM A HUG. THE VIEW IS SPECTACULAR FROM WHERE SHE IS STANDING. "WHY DID YOU STAY THE NIGHT; TRENT, AND DO NOTHING." "SABRINA, I AM FALLING FOR YOU BUT I HAVE ENOUGH RESPECT FOR BOTH OF US TO WAIT UNTIL YOU ALLOW US TO MAKE LOVE, NOT HAVE SEX." "VERY WELL AND THANK YOU, IF YOU ARE DONE IN THE BATHROOM, CAN YOU WATCH THE COFFEE?" "I NEED TO USE THE BATHROOM REAL QUICK." "SURE GO AHEAD, SABRINA." SHE GOES INTO THE BATHROOM. QUICKLY, SHE RINSES THE SLEEP FROM HER EYES AND CHANGES THE JEANS FOR A PAIR OF SHORTS AND SWEATS OVER THE TOP. SHE OPENS THE BATHROOM DOOR; TRENT STANDS THERE WITH TWO CUPS OF COFFEE. HE HANDS ONE TO HER. SHE KISSES HIM FOR HIS THOUGHTFULNESS, TAKES A SIP, NODS, AND SAYS "JUST THE WAY I LIKE MY COFFEE FOUR SUGARS AND TWO CREAMS." "DID YOU FIND EVERYTHING YOU NEEDED?" "HE SAYS EVERYTHING BUT ONE (YOU)." THEY WALK BACK TO THE LIVING ROOM; PUT THE CUPS ON THE BREAKFAST COUNTER. THEY PUT THE FINISHING TOUCHES TO BREAKFAST TOGETHER. BREAKFAST CONSISTS OF THE COFFEE AND CINNAMON ROLLS. OVER BREAKFAST, TRENT ASKS SABRINA IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THE WEEKEND TOGETHER DOING THINGS. SHE SAYS, "YES, I WOULD." I WAS GOING TO ASK IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE MY DATE TONIGHT AT A COMPANY BANQUET. TRENT REPLIES, “YES, I WOULD LIKE THAT.” TRENT OFFERS THE USE OF HIS GUEST ROOM FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND. SABRINA IS RINSING OUT THE COFFEEPOT WHILE TALKING TO TRENT WHEN THE ANSWERING MACHINE CLICKS ON. SHE WALKS OVER TO TURN UP THE VOLUME. THE PERSON CALLING IS SHEILA, HER FRIEND FROM THE PARTY. SHEILA WANTS TO KNOW HOW HER DATE WITH TRENT WENT LAST NIGHT. SABRINA PICKS UP THE PHONE "IT WENT WELL FOR A BLIND DATE. MY TASTE IN MEN ISN’T DEAD.” "ARE YOU MAD AT ME?" SABRINA STARTS LAUGHING. "WHAT IS SO FUNNY?" SHEILA ASKS. SABRINA TELLS HER THAT SHE HOPES TO SEE TRENT AGAIN. THE IMP SAYS THIS WHILE LOOKING STRAIGHT AT TRENT AND WINKS AT HIM. THE WINK HE KNOWS IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A SECRET. SHEILA IS GLAD THE DATE WENT WELL AND SAYS SO. "CAN I TALK TO YOU LATER; MAYBE AT THE BANQUET, THEN?" SABRINA HANGS UP AND WALKS OVER TO TRENT. HE GRABS HER AND KISSES HER. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL HER I SPEND THE NIGHT WITH YOU SLEEPING?" "I DIDN'T THINK THAT WAS HER BUSINESS." THEY FINISH CLEANING UP THE APARTMENT FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE HIDE ABED IS THE ONLY THING REALLY LEFT TO STRAIGHTEN UP FROM THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE COVERS ARE PULLED UP ON THAT AND IT IS FOLDED BACK INTO PLACE. SABRINA LOOKS AROUND THE APARTMENT "DID YOU TAKE CARE OF THE POPCORN STUFF FROM LAST NIGHT?" "YES, I DID WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING SO PEACEFULLY. "THANK YOU". SHE PACKS A DRESSY OUTFIT, A CASUAL OUTFIT, LOAFING OUTFIT AND HER MAKEUP. DRESSY IS A BLACK ACETATE SKIRT, BLUE SILK BLOUSE AND BLACK SILK JACKET WITH HEELS. CASUAL IS LONG DENIM SKIRT, BUTTON-DOWN OXFORD BLOUSE AND DENIM VEST WITH FLATS. HER LOAFING OUTFIT, SHE IS WEARING. SHE ASKS, “IF THERE IS A PLACE WHERE I COULD GO JOGGING TO GET IN MY EXERCISE.” HE SAYS YES THE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD WORK. SABRINA GRABS HER WEIGHTS TO WEAR WHILE JOGGING AND SLIPS HER RUNNING SHOES ON. TWO-1.5 POUNDS WEIGHTS AND TWO-1 POUND WEIGHTS GO INTO HER DUFFEL BAG. THE WEIGHTS ARE GREAT FOR TONING UP. THEY FLIP OFF LIGHTS AND CHECK TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING ELSE IS OFF. SABRINA PICKS UP HER BAG WHILE TRENT SLIPS HIS SWEATER BACK ON; TRENT PICKS HIS BAG UP. THEY WALK TO THE DOOR. TRENT OPENS THE DOOR AND ALLOWS HER TO SET THE LOCK. THE KEYS GO IN HER POCKET. THE DOOR PULLS TIGHTLY SHUT. TRENT TRANSFERS HER BAG TO HIS HAND. TRENT KEEPS SABRINA NEARBY WHICH SHE DOES NOT MIND A BIT. SHE INTENDS TO BASK IN HIS ATTENTION. THEY REACH THE CAR. TRENT FINDS A NOTE FROM THE TWO MATCHMAKING COUPLES ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE NOTE SAYS, “HOPE THE DATE WENT WELL. TRENT, HURT THE LADY AND YOU WILL KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD BLACKBALLED.” SHEILA KNEW HOW THE DATE BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM HAD GONE BEFORE SHE EVER CALLED THIS MORNING. THE NEIGHBORS ARE AWARE OF SOMEONE DIFFERENT IN THE BUILDING WHEN THEY SEE THE CAR AND WHEN THEY SEE WHOM THE GENTLEMAN IS WITH. THE NEIGHBORS REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR FOR THEMSELVES BUT MAYBE FOR SABRINA. SABRINA DID NOT DATE MUCH. THE NEIGHBORS KNOW SHE IS A QUIET, SHY YOUNG WOMAN WITH MUCH LOVE TO GIVE TO THE RIGHT MAN. THE NEIGHBORS RECOGNIZE THAT TRENT WOULD DO EVERYTHING TO AVOID HURTING THE LADY. HE IS VERY UPSET BECAUSE HE KNOWS SHE IS UPSET IN HER OWN WAY ABOUT THE NOTE. TRENT UNLOCKS THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. SABRINA LOOKS AT HIM STRANGELY THINKING SO YOU DO NOT WANT ME SITTING CLOSE TO YOU ANYMORE. HE FROWNS AT HER GLANCE UNTIL HE LOOKS AT WHAT HE HAS DONE. HE IS COMING TO REALIZE THAT SHE MEANS MORE TO HIM THAN HE EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE AND IN A VERY SHORT SPAN OF TIME. TRENT KNEW THE MOMENT HE SAW SABRINA THAT SHE WAS SPECIAL; HE JUST DIDN'T KNOW HOW SPECIAL. SABRINA ISN’T JUST ANY WOMAN. SHE IS A WOMAN TO BE HELD TIGHT AND PAMPERED JUST THE WAY HE LIKES TO BE WITH A WOMAN. HE REALIZES THAT EVERY BIT OF ATTENTION HE LAVISHES ON HER WILL BE RETURNED 2 TIMES OVER. HE TAKES HER IN HIS ARMS AS HE SAYS “IT ISN’T WHAT YOU THINK; I OPENED THIS SIDE SO WE CAN PLACE THE DUFFLE BAGS ON THE FLOORBOARD.” “YOU CAN GET IN ON THE OTHER SIDE WHERE I WISH YOU WOULD.” “THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE THINKING, RIGHT? THAT I DON’T WANT YOU NEXT TO ME, ANYMORE?” SABRINA SHAKES HER HEAD YES. SHE GETS A BIG KISS FOR HER INSECURITY. “LAST NIGHT MEANT QUITE A BIT TO ME AND I THINK TO YOU.” THROUGH THIS EXCHANGE, TRENT HAS PUT THE BAGS IN WITH ONE HAND, HANDS THE KEYS TO HER. THE DECISION IS IN HER HANDS. DOES SHE SIT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OR DOES SHE GO AROUND TO THE DRIVER’S SIDE? THERE IS NO HESITATION ON HER PART. SHE SHUTS THE DOOR. SHE LEADS HIM AROUND TO THE DRIVER’S SIDE AND UNLOCKS THE DOOR. “CLEAR ENOUGH?” SABRINA MADE HER CHOICE. TRENT SMILES, ACKNOWLEDGES THE TRUST. HE OPENS THE DOOR WITH A BOW. SABRINA SLIDES IN, TRENT SLIDES IN RIGHT BESIDES HER. SABRINA CUDDLES CLOSE TO TRENT FOR THE DRIVE TO HIS PLACE. NEIGHBORS WAVE BYE FROM THE FRONT LAWN OF THE COMPLEX. TRENT ASKS, “ARE THE NEIGHBORS PROTECTING YOU BECAUSE OF THE RAPE A COUPLE YEARS AGO?” “YES, THE NEIGHBORS WATCH AND GUARD BOTH ME AND MY PRIVACY. THEY KNEW WHEN I CAME IN LAST NIGHT AND THAT I WASN’T ALONE.” TRENT IS GLAD TO KNOW THAT SHE HAS A SECURITY BUILDING AND NEIGHBORS WHO WATCH OUT FOR OTHERS IN THE BUILDING. “HOW LONG HAVE YOU LIVED IN THE COMPLEX, SPECIFICALLY THAT BUILDING?” “I HAVE LIVED IN THE SAME BUILDING SINCE I GOT MY JOB AT THE CORPORATION.” “THEY ARE THE ONES WHO TOOK ME TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR TREATMENT AFTER THE RAPE.” THEY GET TO HIS PLACE. TRENT HOLDS THE DOOR FOR HER. HE WALKS AROUND TO GET THE BAGS OUT OF THE OTHER SIDE. THE KEYS ARE IN ONE HAND WITH THE BAGS, HIS OTHER HAND CLASPS HERS. HE SHUFFLES THE KEYS AROUND IN HIS HAND SO HE CAN HAND THEM TO HER. SHE UNLOCKS THE DOOR, STEPS BACK A STEP. HE OPENS THE DOOR WITH HIS BAG HAND. THE DOOR OPENS ONTO A MUD HALL. THE DUFFLE BAGS ARE PUT DOWN IN THE HALL. SABRINA WALKS ON INTO HIS LIVING ROOM. HE FOLLOWS HER INTO THE ROOM. HE HOLDS HER LIGHTLY FROM THE BACK. TRENT TURNS HER AROUND SLOWLY AND GENTLY KISSES HER. HE KEEPS EVERYTHING LIGHT FOR NOW WHILE IN HIS HOME. HE IS LETTING HER SET THE PACE OF THE RELATIONSHIP. HE IS JUST LETTING HER KNOW THAT HE IS FINE WITH WHATEVER SHE CHOOSES TO DO. A RINGING PHONE INTERRUPTS THE KISS. BOTH ARE STARTLED FOR A MOMENT. THE RINGING STOPS WHEN THE ANSWERING MACHINE PICKS UP. THE CALL IS FROM JEFF, THE PARTY HOST OF THE OTHER NIGHT. JEFF WANTS TO KNOW HOW THE DATE WENT. TRENT PICKS UP THE PHONE. TRENT REPLIES, “YOU KNOW HOW THE DATE WENT BECAUSE YOU SAW MY CAR AT SABRINA’S SOMETIME BETWEEN THE DATE AND A LITTLE WHILE AGO.” “JUST WANTED TO WARN YOU, HURT SABRINA AND YOU WILL BE HURT, TRENT.” “I DON’T INTEND TO EVER HURT THIS PRETTY LADY.” JEFF HANGS UP. JEFF KNOWS THAT TRENT IS A MAN OF HIS WORDS. TRENT LOOKS AT SABRINA. “GUESS WHO?” SABRINA SAYS, “I HEARD. THEY INTRODUCED US; NOW LET’S SEE WHAT WE CAN DO WITH THE REST OF THE WEEKEND?” TRENT KISSES HER AGAIN “MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY”. HE GIVES HER A TOUR OF THE HOUSE. SABRINA GOES INTO THE KITCHEN FOR A DRINK OF WATER GIVING HIM PRIVACY TO CHECK HIS MACHINE AND MAIL. SABRINA LAYS HIS KEYS ON THE COUNTER. HE DEALS WITH HIS CORRESPONDENCE BOTH VOCAL AND WRITTEN. TRENT COMES INTO THE KITCHEN, WALKS UP TO HER. SABRINA TURNS AROUND, PLACES HER HANDS ON HIS SHOULDERS. THEY LIGHTLY KISS. HE DECIDES TO RAKE THE LEAVES OUT FRONT WHILE SHE DOES HER JOGGING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY CAN BE TOGETHER, YET APART WITH SPACE AND TIME TO THINK. SABRINA DIGS IN HER BAG FOR HER WEIGHTS. THE LIGHTER WEIGHTS GO ON HER ARMS, THE HEAVIER GO ON HER LEGS. THEY WALK OUTSIDE TOGETHER ARM-IN-ARM. SABRINA IMPULSIVELY HUGS TRENT AS THANK YOU FOR THE WEEKEND SO FAR. SHE DOES LEG STRETCHES IN PREPARATION FOR HER JOG WHILE HE GETS THE RAKE OUT OF THE STORAGE AREA. HE LAYS THE RAKE AGAINST THE FRONT DOOR. HE DECIDES TO JOG ONE LAP WITH HER FOR TWO REASONS: FIRST, TO SEE HOW LONG THE LAP WILL TAKE; SECOND, TO SHOW HER THE WAY THE ROAD TWISTS AND TURNS. THEY JOG TOGETHER AND AT THE END OF THAT LAP SABRINA KISSES TRENT BYE. TRENT SAYS, “BE CAREFUL AND I KNOW HOW LONG IT TAKES YOU TO JOG A LAP AND IF YOU ARE LONGER THAN THAT. I WILL COME LOOKING FOR YOU.” SABRINA SMILES AT HIM. “I EXPECT YOU TO.” TRENT RAKES THE LEAVES INTO A PILE. HE CHECKS HIS WATCH EVERY 20 MINUTES. SABRINA DOES HER MUCH NEEDED JOG. SHE KNOWS TRENT IS KEEPING AN EYE ON TIME FOR HER SAFETY SAKE. HE FINISHES THE LEAVES JUST BEFORE SHE GOES PAST FOR THE LAST TIME. AS SHE IS HITTING THE EDGE OF HIS LAWN, SHE TAKES THE WEIGHTS OFF HER ARMS. SHE TOSSES THEM ON THE LAWN. SHE IS FINISHED JOGGING. SHE COMES OVER AND TACKLES HIM. TRENT WASN’T READY FOR THIS; HE GOES DOWN WITH HER ON TOP IN HIS ARMS. THEY ROLL IN THE LEAVES FOR A MINUTE. TRENT STRADDLES HER AND TOSSES LEAVES OVER HER. THE LAUGHTER IS CONTAGIOUS. THEY KISS AS THEY LAUGH. THEY REDO THE LEAVES AND BAG THEM UP. THE BAGS OF LEAVES FLY THROUGH THE AIR TOWARD THE CURB. TRENT STANDS BY THE CURB AND SABRINA THROWS THE BAGS TO HIM. THEN, TRENT TRADES PLACES WITH SABRINA, HE GOES UP TO TOSS AND SHE COMES DOWN TO CATCH. THEY GET THE TASK FINISHED IN PLENTY OF TIME FOR ANOTHER QUICK JOG TOGETHER. THE JOG LASTS 15 MINUTES BECAUSE THEY ACTUALLY WALK THE BLOCK TOGETHER. TRENT POINTS OUT THE DIFFERENT HOUSES ALONG THE BLOCK. SABRINA DOES WIND SPRINTS THE LAST 10 YARDS. TRENT CATCHES UP TO SABRINA AND THEY WALK HAND-IN-HAND INTO THE HOUSE. WATER SOUNDS GOOD RIGHT ABOUT NOW. TRENT FINDS THE GLASS SABRINA USED EARLIER. HE FILLS THE GLASS WITH WATER FROM THE REFRIGERATOR AND OFFERS THE GLASS TO SABRINA FIRST. THEY DECIDE TO FIX LUNCH BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE. TRENT FINDS LUNCHMEAT FOR SANDWICHES. SABRINA MAKES THE SANDWICHES WHILE TRENT GETS THE DRINKS. THE BACK PORCH LOOKS SO INVITING SO THEY TAKE LUNCH OUT THERE. SQUIRRELS COME UP TO THE EDGE OF THE PATIO. BREADCRUMBS ARE THROWN TO THE SQUIRRELS. TRENT FINISHES FIRST. TRENT PLAYFULLY ATTACKS HER. HE COMES UP BEHIND HER, NUZZLES AND KISSES HER NECK. SHE JUMPS BECAUSE SHE WAS STARTLED. TRENT APOLOGIZES AGAIN AS SHE GIGGLES WHILE HE IS KISSING HER NECK. TRENT LETS HER KNOW AT THIS POINT THAT HE WANTS TO CONTINUE BEING ABLE TO TOUCH HER AT WILL BY KISSING HER NECK AND SUCH. HE WILL STOP IF IT BOTHERS HER. SHE EXPLAINS THAT THE SURPRISE IS WHAT BOTHERS HER MOST. SURPRISES TAKE CONTROL OUT OF HER REALM OF LIFE. IF HE CAN DEAL WITH THE OCCASIONAL START, THEN SHE WOULD LEARN TO DEAL WITH THE SURPRISE CARESSES. SHE FINISHES HER LUNCH. THEY TAKE THE DISHES INSIDE. TRENT TELLS HER TO LEAVE THE DISHES. “WON’T TAKE BUT A MINUTE TO DO THEM.” THEY LEAVE THE DISHES TO AIR DRY. SABRINA ASKS, “BEFORE WE GO ANYWHERE; COULD I TAKE A SHOWER.” HE TAKES HER BAG TO THE GUEST ROOM. HE GOES TO THE MASTER ROOM TO SHOWER. SABRINA FINISHES IN RECORD TIME. SHE PUTS ON THE CASUAL OUTFIT SHE BROUGHT. TRENT PUTS ON CLEAN JEANS AND POLO SHIRT. THEY DECIDE TO DO THE MALL UP RIGHT. THEY WALK OUT TO THE CAR. HE LETS HER DRIVE. SHE REACHES THE MALL IN RECORD TIME. SHE PARKS THE CAR CLOSE TO ONE END OF THE MALL. THEY WALK ONE SIDE OF THE MALL, TURN AND DO THE OTHER SIDE. THEY MAKE A FEW PURCHASES. THERE IS A COMPANY PARTY TONIGHT DEALING WITH SABRINA’S WORK. SHE NEEDED TO PICK UP SOME THINGS SHE FORGOT AT HOME. SHE FORGOT HER HOSE, BLUSH AND RIBBONS TO WIND IN HER HAIR. TRENT PICKS UP A BOTTLE OF WINE FOR THE PRESIDENT OF HER COMPANY. THE MALL VISIT TAKES A COUPLE OF HOURS. SABRINA DRIVES BACK TO TRENT’S HOUSE. THEY SIT ON THE COUCH WATCHING A LITTLE TV BEFORE GOING TO SEPARATE ROOMS TO SHOWER AND DRESS. THEY COME OUT OF THE SEPARATE ROOMS SIMULTANEOUSLY. TRENT CANNOT BELIEVE HIS EYES-IS THIS THE SAME WOMAN WHO WENT INTO THAT BEDROOM AN HOUR AGO? YES, IT IS. SABRINA IS EVEN MORE DROP DEAD GORGEOUS. SHE WAS BEFORE SHE CHANGED HER CLOTHES BUT THE CLOTHES BRING OUT THE LADY EVEN MORE. THE SKIRT IS FULL AND LOOKS PERFECT ON HER. THE BLUE BLOUSE BRINGS OUT THE BLUE IN HER EYES. THE RIBBONS; ADDING JUST THE RIGHT TOUCH, BRUSH HER CHEEK SOFTLY. MAYBE, IT IS THE CLOTHES THAT MAKE THE WOMAN; OR THE WOMAN MAKES THE CLOTHES. TRENT CANNOT DECIDE WHICH; ALL HE KNOWS IS THAT SABRINA LOOKS FANTASTIC. TRENT TAKES HER HAND AND LIGHTLY SPINS HER AROUND TO GET THE FULL EFFECT OF THE OUTFIT. THE SIGHT IS BREATHTAKING AND SPECTACULAR. HE TELLS HER SO; SHE BLUSHES AND SAYS, “THANK YOU VERY MUCH, KIND SIR.” THE DOORBELL RINGS; TRENT MOTIONS FOR HER TO ANSWER IT. A FLORIST’S TRUCK IS IN THE DRIVEWAY. “I HAVE A DELIVERY FOR SABRINA.” SABRINA REALIZES TRENT ARRANGED TO HAVE FLOWERS DELIVERED TO HER AT HIS HOUSE. THE ROSES ARE THE SAME COLOR AS HER BLOUSE. HE PULLS ONE FROM THE BOX, CUTS THE STEM OFF AND SLIDES IT INTO HER HAIR VERY CAREFULLY. THEY ANCHOR IT IN PLACE WITH THE RIBBONS AND A COUPLE OF HAIR PINS. THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE TO GO TO THE PARTY. TRENT HOLDS THE PASSENGER DOOR OPEN FOR HER. HE DOESN’T WANT HER SKIRT MESSED UP. THE PARTY IS AT THE COUNTRY CLUB. THE PARKING ATTENDANT USHERS HER OUT OF THE CAR. THEY WALK INTO THE FOYER TOGETHER. HER BOSS SEES THE GLOW IN HER EYES AND KNOWS SHE HAS FINALLY FOUND THE ONE TO TRULY MAKE HER HAPPY. SABRINA TAKES TRENT AROUND TO MEET THE VARIOUS EXECUTIVES AND THEIR SPOUSES THAT HE HASN’T MET YET. ALL THE TOP EXECUTIVES ARE VERY IMPRESSED WITH HIM. SABRINA LEAVES TRENT TALKING TO ONE OF THE VICE PRESIDENTS WHILE SHE CONTINUES TO MINGLE. TRENT IS TALKING WHEN OUT OF THE CORNER OF HIS EYE; HE NOTICES A MAN REACHING OUT TO GRAB SABRINA’S ARM. HE HAS NOTICED THE WAY SHE SHIES AWAY FROM THIS MAN. TRENT QUICKLY EXCUSES HIMSELF FROM THE CONVERSATION AND QUIETLY WALKS UP TO SABRINA’S SIDE. TRENT GENTLY STEERS HER AWAY FROM THE MAN AND TOWARD THE BEVERAGE BAR. THE MAN IS LEFT LOOKING LIKE A FOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM. TRENT IS QUIETLY THANKED FOR HER RESCUE. TRENT KISSES HER SILENT. “NO PROBLEM, GIVES ME A REASON TO DO WHAT HE ONLY THOUGHT ABOUT AND HOLD YOU CLOSE AGAIN.” “ALWAYS THE GENTLEMAN, I SEE,” SHE WHISPERS. THE EXECUTIVES ARE INTERESTED IN THIS MAN. TRENT COULD HAVE CAUSED A SCENE, EMBARRASSED SABRINA AND RUINED THE EVENING. INSTEAD, HE CHOSE TO LET THE MAN BE A FOOL ALONE WHILE NOT DRAWING ATTENTION TO SABRINA. THE MAN IS THE SAME MAN FROM LAST NIGHT AT THE CLUB. TRENT ASKS HER ABOUT THE MAN; SHE REPLIES “HE WANTS TO GO OUT WITH ME BUT I DO NOT WANT TO.” TRENT ASKS, “IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEED AT THE MOMENT?” SHE SHAKES HER HEAD NO. TRENT GOES BACK TO FINISH THE CONVERSATION WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT; WHILE SABRINA GOES BACK TO MINGLING. DINNER IS CALLED. TRENT WALKS UP BEHIND SABRINA. HE LAYS A HAND ON HER SHOULDER VERY SOFTLY. THIS GESTURE DOESN’T GO UNNOTICED. SHE TURNS AROUND SLOWLY, QUESTIONING LOOK IN HER EYES. TRENT TELLS HER THAT DINNER WAS JUST ANNOUNCED; SHE DIDN’T HEAR THE ANNOUNCEMENT. HE ASKS, “CAN I ESCORT YOU TO DINNER?” SHE IS THE COMPANY’S SECOND HIGHEST IN RANK ACCOUNTANT AND TRENT DIDN’T KNOW IF THAT MEANT THAT SABRINA WAS SUPPOSED TO WALK IN WITH THE PRESIDENT. SABRINA SMILES, SAYS YES TO HIS QUESTION, AND TAKES HIS ARM. THEY WALK INTO THE DINING ROOM OF THE COUNTRY CLUB. THEIR TABLE IS AT THE FRONT OF THE ROOM CLOSEST TO THE EXECUTIVES’ TABLE. THE EXECUTIVES’ WIVES KNOW AND LOVE SABRINA JUST AS THEIR HUSBANDS DO. THE WIVES ARE SUITABLE IMPRESSED WITH TRENT, AS WELL. TRENT HOLDS SABRINA’S CHAIR FOR HER. SABRINA SMILES HER THANKS. HE TAKES THE CHAIR NEXT TO HER. THE SEATING CHART FOR THIS OCCASION WAS MADE UP MONTHS IN ADVANCE WITH REGARD TO ONE GUEST FOR EACH MEMBER OF THE COMPANY. HE KEEPS CONTACT WITH HER SHOULDER OR ELBOW THROUGH DINNER. TRENT HAS HEARD THROUGH THE COMPANY GRAPEVINE THAT SABRINA IS GETTING THE PROMOTION TO HEAD ACCOUNTANT. SABRINA IS WORRIED ABOUT THE ANNOUNCEMENT. SHE HAS WORKED SO HARD TO GET THIS POSITION. SABRINA DOESN’T KNOW SHE HAS THE PROMOTION. TRENT WHISPERS, “EITHER WAY, I ALREADY CARE ABOUT YOU.” SABRINA WHISPERS BACK, “I KNOW BUT I AM STILL NERVOUS.” THE PRESIDENT CALLS THE CHIEF ACCOUNTANT TO COME UP AND NAME HIS SUCCESSOR PERSONALLY. THE CHIEF ACCOUNTANT DOESN’T KEEP HER IN NERVES FOR LONG. HE NAMES SABRINA AS HIS SUCCESSOR AND MAKES THE PROMOTION OFFICIAL. SABRINA WALKS TO THE FRONT AND SHAKES HER BOSSES’ HANDS. THE PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES HER. THE PRESIDENT SAYS SABRINA TAKES OVER AS CHIEF ACCOUNTANT SO THE OUTGOING CHIEF CAN ACCEPT A POSITION AS A VICE PRESIDENT IN ANOTHER CITY. SABRINA WALKS BACK TO HER SEAT IN A DAZE. THE DESSERT IS SERVED. THE DINNER PARTY ENDS WITH AFTER DINNER DRINKS TO FOLLOW IN THE FOYER. EVERYONE COMES FORWARD TO CONGRATULATE HER ON THE PROMOTION. TRENT STANDS BACK, WATCHES AND WAITS FOR HIS TURN. THE CROWD THINS OUT FINALLY. HE WALKS UP TO HER, KISSES HER, AND HUGS HER. HE WHISPERS, “ARE YOU OK AND READY TO GO?” SHE SAYS, “LET ME MAKE MY GOOD-BYES AND WE CAN GO.” SHE SAYS BYE TO ALL OF HER FRIENDS. SHE ASKED IF HE KNEW THAT SHE WAS GETTING THE PROMOTION. HE TOLD HER THAT HE HAD HEARD A RUMOR TO THE EFFECT WHILE TALKING TO THE VICE PRESIDENT. SHE IS VERY SURPRISED THAT THE COMPANY HAD THAT MUCH FAITH IN HER. THEY LEAVE THE PARTY AND GO BACK TO HIS HOUSE.

TODAY IS THEIR WEDDING DAY. SABRINA SPENT HER LAST NIGHT AS A SINGLE LADY YESTERDAY. HER DRESS IS WHITE WITH SAPPHIRE BLUE ACCENTS AT COLLAR, WAIST AND HEM. HER VEIL IS WHITE HELD ON BY A SAPPHIRE BLUE TIARA. SABRINA’S BOUQUET IS WHITE ROSES WITH A CIRCLET OF BLUE ROSES ON THE INSIDE. TRENT HAS A BLACK TUXEDO WITH BLUE CUMMERBUND AND TIE. THE PLANNING HAS BEEN INTERESTING. SABRINA FOLLOWS THE RITUAL OF SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BORROWED, AND SOMETHING BLUE. THE SOMETHING OLD IS A CROSS ONCE GIVEN TO HER BY HER CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART WHOM SHE HASN’T SEEN SINCE HIS FAMILY MOVED AWAY YEARS BEFORE. THE CROSS WAS GIVEN TO HER ON HER BIRTHDAY; SHE THOUGHT SHE HAD LOST IT UNTIL SHE FOUND IT IN A DRAWER OF HER JEWELRY CHEST. SHE VOWS TO WEAR THE CROSS THIS ONE WEEK; THEN PUT IT AWAY IN A HOPE CHEST FOR HER CHILDREN, ALONG WITH THE STORY OF HER FIRST TRUE LOVE. THE SOMETHING NEW IS HER DRESS. THE SOMETHING BORROWED IS THE PAIR OF FINGERLESS WHITE GLOVES SHE BORROWS FROM A NEIGHBOR. THE SOMETHING BLUE IS ALL THE BLUE ACCENTS IN HER ATTIRE. THE CHURCH IS DECORATED BY FRIENDS. THE CAKE WAS ORDERED THE WEEK AFTER THE ENGAGEMENT. SABRINA IS SHAKING LIKE A LEAF. TABITHA IS SABRINA’S MAID OF HONOR. TABITHA DOES BOTH SABRINA’S MAKE-UP AND HER OWN. TWO OF THE NEIGHBORS IN THE APARTMENT BUILDING ARE WALKING SABRINA DOWN THE AISLE. TABITHA FINALLY ASKS, “ARE YOU SURE?” SABRINA WITH TEARS IN HER EYES NODS. THEY HEAR THE BEGINNINGS NOTES TO THE WEDDING MARCH AND KNOW THE TIME IS ALMOST HERE. THE BRIDE MAIDS ARE ON THEIR WAY DOWN THE AISLE. TABITHA OPENS THE DOOR TO THE ROOM AND STEPS OUT. TABS HELPS FIX THE TRAIN ON SABRINA’S DRESS. THEY WALK TOGETHER TO THE CLOSED SANCTUARY DOORS. TABS HUGS HER AND WHISPERS, “SEE YOU AT THE GATE TO YOUR HEAVEN”. THE DOORS ARE OPENED. TABS STARTS HER WALK DOWN. THE DOORS CLOSE BEHIND HER. SABRINA KNOWS THAT TRENT HAS REQUESTED A SPECIAL SONG AS THEIR WEDDING MARCH. ALL HE WOULD TELL HER WAS YOU WILL KNOW THE SONG AND KNOW WHEN TO MAKE YOUR ENTRANCE. SHE HEARS THE FAINT NOTES BEGIN. THE MUSIC GETS LOUDER. SHE SMILES AS SHE RECOGNIZES THE SONG ALMOST PARADISE. SHE NODS TO THE USHERS TO OPEN THE DOORS. SHE TAKES HER NEIGHBOR’S ARMS, BEGINS HER WALK DOWN THE AISLE. SHE LOOKS STRAIGHT AT TRENT. TRENT SMILES, NODS. ALL THE GUESTS ARE HAPPY TO SEE THIS DAY ARRIVE. SABRINA HANDS HER BOUQUET TO TABS. TRENT TAKES HER HANDS IN HIS AND KISSES BOTH PALMS. HER VOICE NEVER CRACKS AS SHE RECITES HER VOWS. TRENT RECITES HIS JUST AS STRONG. THE PREACHER LETS TABITHA RECITE A POEM THAT BOTH SABRINA AND TRENT HAD WRITTEN FOR THE CEREMONY. THE RINGS ARE ASKED FOR AND EXCHANGED. TRENT FINISHES THE EXCHANGE BY PLACING SABRINA’S ENGAGEMENT RING BACK ON HER LEFT HAND ABOVE HER WEDDING BAND. THE PREACHER PRONOUNCES THEM MAN AND WIFE. THE BRIDAL COUPLE TURN TO FACE THE GUESTS; THE PREACHER INTRODUCES THEM TO THE GUESTS. TRENT HASN’T KISSED HER YET. HE TURNS HER TOWARD HIM AS THEY FACE THE GUESTS. TRENT LIFTS HER VEIL FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE FIRST KISS AS MAN AND WIFE IS LONG AND DEEP. THE GUESTS QUIETLY LAUGH. TRENT LEADS HER TOWARD THE FIRST PEW OF GUESTS AS SHE TAKES HER BOUQUET FROM TABS. THEY GREET EACH PEW OF GUESTS AS THEY GO. TABS FASTENS SABRINA’S TRAIN TO HER TIARA IN THE BACK AFTER THE THIRD PEW IS GREETED. BOTH COMPANIES’ EXECUTIVES AND WIVES ARE THERE. TRENT SWEEPS SABRINA INTO HIS ARMS AT THE SANCTUARY DOORS; HE CARRIES HER BACK UP TO THE ALTAR FOR WEDDING PICTURES. THE REST OF THE WEDDING PARTY GOES OUT INTO THE VESTIBULE TO MINGLE WITH SOME OF THE GUESTS. THE REST OF THE GUESTS HEAD TO THE RESTAURANT FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE RECEPTION-A SIT DOWN DINNER TO BE FOLLOWED BY DANCING AT THE NIGHTCLUB. THE BRIDAL PARTY GOES BACK UP TO THE ALTAR FOR PICTURES WITH THE WEDDING COUPLE. TRENT IS OVERJOYED THAT HE FINALLY HAS A RING ON SABRINA’S FINGER. HE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR SO LONG. HE WOULD HAVE MARRIED HER AFTER THE FIRST DATE BECAUSE HE FELL SO HARD FOR HER. THE WEDDING PARTY GOES TO THE DINNER IN A LONG HORSE DRAWN CARRIAGE. THE SIT DOWN DINNER IS HELD AT THE SAME RESTAURANT AS ALL THE IMPORTANT DATES HAVE BEEN. THE WEDDING PARTY GETS TO THE RESTAURANT. THE GROOMSMEN HELP THE BRIDESMAIDS DOWN. SABRINA IS HELPED DOWN BY TRENT. THE WEDDING PARTY ENTERS THE RESTAURANT. THE HOSTESS LEADS THEM BACK TO THE BANQUET ROOM IMMEDIATELY. SABRINA IS BLUSHING FROM ALL THE COMPLIMENTS ON HER DRESS, THE WEDDING AND EVERYTHING. THE TOASTS START BEFORE DINNER IS SERVED. MATT, TABS’ BOYFRIEND, IS THE LAST ONE TO TOAST THE COUPLE. FINALLY, TRENT STANDS UP, TURNS TO SABRINA AND SAYS, “SABRINA, I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU THAT FIRST DATE. I HAVE GROW TO LOVE YOU EVEN MORE OVER THE LAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS. I AM SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE FINALLY MY WIFE. NOW I CAN SHOWER YOU WITH EVEN MORE ATTENTION.” THEY KISS, SIT DOWN TO EAT DINNER. SABRINA WAITS UNTIL AFTER EATING DINNER TO TOAST HER NEW SPOUSE. “TRENT, I TOO FELL IN LOVE THAT FIRST DATE. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THERE WAS A MAN ON THIS EARTH AS FANTASTIC AS YOU. I HAVE A GIFT FOR YOU. I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT ME GIVING UP THE APARTMENT. THE APARTMENT HAS A NEW OWNER AS OF TOMORROW. TABS AND MATT SIGNED THE LEASE YESTERDAY.” TRENT PULLS HER UP INTO HIS ARMS. THEY WALK OVER TO THE CAKE TABLE. THE CAKE IS PERFECT. THE CAKE IS THREE TIERS HIGH. THE BOTTOM TIER IS ACTUALLY A LAYER OF WHITE AND A LAYER OF CHOCOLATE. THE MIDDLE TIER IS ALL YELLOW. THE TOP TIER IS ALL WHITE WITH MINT CENTER. THE FROSTING IS WHITE WITH BLUE PIPING, BLUE ROSES AND BLACK ROSES. THEY CUT DOWN THE BOTTOM TIER FOR THE FIRST PIECE. TRENT FEEDS HER THE FIRST BITE WITH A SMILE. SABRINA RETURNS THE FAVOR WITH THE SECOND BITE. THE RESTAURANT STAFF TAKE OVER THE CUTTING OF THE CAKE. THE TOP TIER IS CAREFULLY BOXED UP AND PUT ASIDE FOR THE BRIDAL COUPLE. THE GUESTS, FORM A LINE TO GET THE CAKE AND IN DOING SO, CAN AGAIN CONGRATULATE THE COUPLE AS THE GUESTS GET THEIR CAKE. THE ENTIRE DINNER GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH. THE GUESTS WATCH AS THE CARRIAGE PULLS UP AND THE WEDDING PARTY GETS IN. THE ENTIRE WEDDING HEADS FOR THE NIGHTCLUB FORMING ONE LONG LINE OF VEHICLES DOWN THE STREET. SABRINA HAD BOUGHT HER DRESS KNOWING THE TRAIN WOULD COME OFF. TABITHA AND THE OTHER BRIDESMAIDS HELP HER REMOVE THE TRAIN. TRENT AND GROOMSMEN REMOVE THEIR TUX JACKETS. THE CARRIAGE DRIVER HAS A PLASTIC BAG LAID DOWN ON ONE OF THE SEATS FOR THIS PURPOSE. TRENT TAKES THE THROWING GARTER OFF SABRINA BEFORE THEY REACH THE NIGHTCLUB. THE WEDDING COUPLE TAKE THE FIRST DANCE AS CUSTOMARY. THE REST OF THE WEDDING PARTY DANCES WITH THEIR PARTNERS. MATT DANCES WITH SABRINA NEXT. HE AND SABRINA GIGGLE THROUGHOUT THE DANCE. TABS ASKS TRENT IF HE KNOWS WHY. TRENT DOES BUT HE WON’T SAY. BEFORE THE NEXT DANCE CAN START, SABRINA CALLS FOR ALL SINGLE, ELIGIBLE FEMALES TO COME FRONT AND CENTER. TRENT HAS ALL THE SINGLE, ELIGIBLE MEN OFF TO THE SIDE. TRENT TOSSES THE GARTER FIRST. MATT CATCHES THE GARTER. SABRINA TURNS HER BACK AND TOSSES THE BOUQUET. ALL THE OTHER FEMALES HAVE STEPPED BACK SO ONLY TABITHA IS STANDING THERE TO CATCH IT. TABITHA CATCHES IT AND IMMEDIATELY FEELS A RING BOX. SHE LOOKS AT SABRINA’S HAND TO MAKE SURE SABRINA IS WEARING HER RINGS. SABRINA IS WEARING BOTH OF HERS. TABITHA KNEW THAT SABRINA HAD TIED HER OWN ENGAGEMENT RING TO THE BOUQUET BEFORE THE CEREMONY. TABITHA STARTS TO LOOK AROUND ONLY TO FIND MATT IN FRONT OF HER ON HIS KNEE. HE CAREFULLY UNTIES THE RING, STARTS TO SLIDE IT ON TAB’S FINGER. “TABITHA, WOULD YOU BE MY WIFE?” TABITHA FIGURES OUT WHAT ALL THE GIGGLING WAS ABOUT. “MATT, YES I WILL.” THE DANCING RESUMES, DANCE PARTNERS ARE SWITCHED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE NEXT FEW HOURS. TABITHA ASKS SABRINA IF SHE, TABITHA, COULD WEAR SABRINA’S GOWN FOR HER OWN WEDDING. TABITHA SAYS, “IT WILL BE THE SOMETHING BORROWED.” TRENT AND SABRINA FINALLY MAKE THEIR GOOD-BYES. THE BRIDAL COUPLE TAKE THE CARRIAGE BACK TO HER APARTMENT FOR THE FINAL TIME. SHE CHANGES HER CLOTHES, LEAVES THE WEDDING DRESS, VEIL AND GLOVES IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM. TRENT LEAVES HIS TUX IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM, ALSO. TABITHA HAD ALREADY VOLUNTEERED TO TAKE ALL ITEMS TO THE CLEANERS WHILE THE NEWLYWEDS WERE ON HONEYMOON. TRENT GRABS THEIR SUITCASES AND THEY LEAVE TO GO CATCH THEIR PLANE. THEY GET TO THE AIRPORT. TRENT HAS MADE THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE HONEYMOON. HE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO FLY BACK TO HIS BIRTHPLACE. SOMETHING HE VOWED NEVER TO DO. HIS PARENTS MOVED FROM THERE WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG BOY OF 11. HE MADE THE VOW BECAUSE HE LEFT BEHIND HIS CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART OF TWO YEARS. HE HAD GIVEN HER A CROSS ON HER 11TH BIRTHDAY SHORTLY BEFORE HE MOVED. HIS FAMILY DID KEEP IN TOUCH WITH HERS FOR AWHILE. WITH ALL THE MOVES BOTH FAMILIES MADE, HIS FAMILY EVENTUALLY LOST TOUCH WITH HERS. TRENT AND SABRINA GET TO THE AIRPORT IN PLENTY OF TIME. SABRINA NOTICES THE DESTINATION ON THE TICKETS. “TRENT, WHY ARE WE GOING TO THIS CITY?” “SABRINA, I AM ORIGINALLY FROM THERE. I GREW UP THERE; MY FAMILY MOVED FROM THERE WHEN I WAS ABOUT 11.” “TRENT, THAT IS STRANGE SINCE I GREW UP THERE MYSELF.” “TRENT, WHERE DID YOU LIVE IN THE CITY?” “SABRINA, I GREW UP JUST OUTSIDE OF THE CITY ON A LAKE.” “TRENT, THIS IS REALLY WEIRD SO DID I.” TRENT SUDDENLY REALIZES THAT HE MAY HAVE JUST FOUND HIS SOUL-MATE AGAIN. “SABRINA, DID YOU EVER A CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART? DID YOU EVER HAVE ANYONE WHO YOU SPEND EVERY WAKING MOMENT WITH? I DID-A LITTLE BLOND GIRL WITH KILLER BLUE EYES. THAT WAS THE FIRST THING I NOTICED ABOUT YOU ACROSS THAT ROOM WAS YOUR EYES. YOUR BLUE EYES REMIND ME SO MUCH OF HER. SORRY MY DARLING SABRINA FOR BETRAYING OUR LOVE WITH ANOTHER LOVE EVEN FOR A MOMENT.” “TRENT, I DID HAVE A CHILDHOOD SWEETHEART. HE MOVED AWAY WHEN WE WERE 11 AND BASICALLY I NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN. I SPEND EVERY WAKING MOMENT WITH HIM. HE LIVED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL BY THE LAKE. HE GAVE ME A BIRTHDAY PRESENT JUST BEFORE HE MOVED. HE HAD THIS GENTLENESS ABOUT HIM AND HIS GORGEOUS BROWN EYES. I GUESS LIKE YOU. I FELL FOR YOUR EYES, FIRST OF ALL. I SAW YOUR EYES, WAS TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME. I, TOO, AM SORRY FOR LETTING ANOTHER LOVE INVADE US.” “SABRINA, THIS MAY BE VERY IMPORTANT WHAT I AM TO ASK YOU. WHAT DID YOUR SWEETHEART GIVE YOU THAT BIRTHDAY?” “TRENT, HE GAVE ME A CROSS WHICH I FOUND JUST A WEEK AGO. I WEAR IT NOW UNDER MY TRAVELING CLOTHES. I WAS WEARING WHEN I SAID MY VOWS TO YOU.” “SABRINA, IS THE CROSS GOLD WITH A DIAMOND CHIP IN THE CENTER?” “YES, DARLING TRENT, IT IS.” “SABRINA, YOU LIVED AT THE TOP OF THE HILL. YOU AND I MET; FELL IN LOVE OR WHAT WE KNEW AS LOVE THEN. I PROTECTED YOU DAILY FROM BULLIES.” “OH MY YES, TRENT.” TRENT GRABS HER AND WHIRLS HER AROUND. HE WAS GOING BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN TO PUT HIS RESTLESS GHOSTS TO REST. HE NEVER REALLY EXPECTED TO MEET HIS DARLING LITTLE GIRL AGAIN. HE REALIZES NOT ONLY HAS HE FOUND HER AGAIN, BUT SHE IS NOW HIS WIFE AND LIFE-MATE. SABRINA HOLDS HIM TIGHT AS SHE IS SWUNG AROUND. SHE WAS GOING TO WEAR THE CROSS THIS ONE LAST WEEK AND THEN PUT IT AWAY FOR HER CHILDREN ALONG WITH THE STORY OF THE LITTLE COUPLE WHO WERE FOREVER SEPARATED. SABRINA KNOWS NOW THAT SHE CAN WEAR THE CROSS AS LONG AS SHE WISHES BECAUSE THE GIVER IS HER HUSBAND AND PROTECTOR. THEY BOTH RECANT THEIR APOLOGIES BECAUSE THAT LOVE AND THIS LOVE IS ONE AND THE SAME ONLY STRONGER. TRENT ASKS, “IF SHE WOULD MIND HIM CHANGING THEIR DESTINATION?” SABRINA WHISPERS, “NO, THE REASON FOR US GOING THERE NO LONGER EXISTS. WE PUT OUR GHOSTS TO REST BY GIVING THEM LIFE AS ANGELS ONCE AGAIN.” TRENT STARTS TO CHANGE THE DESTINATION ON THEIR TICKETS. TRENT DECIDES NOT TO CHANGE THE DESTINATION, EXPLAINS TO SABRINA THAT HE WANTS TO SPEND THE WEDDING NIGHT IN THEIR OLD TOWN. TRENT NOTICES THAT QUITE A FEW PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THEM ALL THIS TIME. TRENT EXPLAINS TO THE CROWD, “I LOST THIS LADY YEARS AGO AS A CHILD AND HAVE FOUND HER AS BEAUTIFUL FULLY GROWN UP LADY.” THEY HEAR THE CALL FOR THEIR FLIGHT. THEY LAND, PICK UP A RENTAL CAR. THEY CHECK IN TO THE HOTEL. TRENT HAD RESERVED THE HONEYMOON SUITE. TRENT CARRIES SABRINA OVER THE THRESHOLD. TRENT DOES HIS BUSINESS IN THE BATHROOM WHILE DRAWING A BATH FOR HER. HE LEAVES HER TO DO HER THING IN THE TUB ALONE. SABRINA KNOWS HE IS GIVING HER TIME TO GET COMPOSED. HE, EVEN, LEAVES A BOTTLE OF WATER ON THE VANITY FOR HER. SHE COMES OUT OF THE BATHROOM COMPOSED. HE STANDS UP AT HER ENTRANCE. HE WHISPERS, “THINK OF THIS AS ANY OTHER NIGHT TOGETHER; ONLY DIFFERENCE IS I AM NOW YOUR HUBBY. “ “TRENT, I KNOW YOU WANT TO MAKE LOVE TO ME. I WANT THAT TOO BUT I AM SCARED THAT I WON’T BE ENOUGH FOR YOU. ““SABRINA, IF WE MAKE LOVE, FINE; IF NOT, FINE, TOO. ““SABRINA, I DIDN’T MARRY YOU FOR THE SEXUAL SIDE OF OUR RELATIONSHIP. THE SEX IS A BONUS. I KNOW WHEN WE MAKE LOVE; IT WILL BE GREAT UNTIL THEN, I HOLD YOU AT NIGHT. I MARRIED YOU BECAUSE I FELL IN LOVE WITH YOU SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND RETURNED TO THAT LOVE RECENTLY. I MARRIED YOU BECAUSE OF THE FRIENDSHIP AND THE COMPANIONSHIP THAT YOU GIVE ME DAILY.” SABRINA NODS UNDERSTANDING. TRENT LAYS HER DOWN ON THE BED WITH HER BACK AGAINST HIM. HE IS LEANING AGAINST THE HEADBOARD. THEY RECLINE AND WATCH TV. TRENT DOES START TICKLING HER. HE DOES REMEMBER THAT HIS LADY IS VERY TICKLISH. SABRINA TRIES NOT TO GIGGLE. TRENT JUST TICKLES MORE. FINALLY, SHE TURNS TO FACE HIM. SHE PLAYS INTO HIS PLANS PERFECTLY. HE KISSES HER EYES, NOSE AND LIPS. THE KISS ON THE LIPS DEEPENS. HE DRAWS BACK TO SEE WHAT THE RESPONSE IS. SHE FOLLOWS HIM TO RE-ESTABLISH CONTACT. HE WATCHES HER SIGNALS AND FOLLOWS THEM. SHE SUDDENLY STRIPS HIS SHIRT OFF. SHE USES THE EXCUSE THAT SHE LOVES HIS BARE CHEST. HE CONTINUES TO LET HER PLAY. SABRINA EVENTUALLY STRIPS HIM NAKED. HE WATCHES HER EXPLORE HIS NAKED BODY. THE INACTION IS DRIVING HIM NUTS. HE KNOWS SHE WILL MAKE HER WANTS AND NEEDS KNOW WHEN SHE IS READY. SHE DRAWS HER CLOTHES OFF. SHE WATCHES HIS FACE AS HER CHEST BECOMES BARE TO HIS SIGHT. HE KNOWS TO BE CAREFUL. HE KNEW SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL INSIDE, AND WITH CLOTHES ON. CLOTHES OFF, SHE IS A GODDESS IN HIS EYES. HER PAJAMA PANTS COME OFF NEXT. HE CAN’T HELP WHISTLING AT THE VISION IN FRONT OF HIM. SHE BLUSHES AND TURNS AWAY. TRENT TURNS HER BACK AROUND. “BRINA, I WHISTLED BECAUSE I LIKE WHAT I SEE. SABRINA, I LOVE THE WOMAN YOU HAVE BECAME AND THE GIRL YOU WERE. “ “TRENT, I WAS RAPED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I AM SCARED OF SEX. I AM NOT A VIRGIN.“ “SABRINA, I KNOW ABOUT THE RAPE. THE ONLY REASON, THE RAPE MATTERS, IS BECAUSE IT HURTS YOU; I SEE A VIRGIN ON HER WEDDING NIGHT WHEN I LOOK AT YOU.“ “TRENT, HOW DO YOU KNOW I HAVEN’T BEEN WITH ANYONE ELSE?“ “I KNOW, MY DARLING WIFE.“ TRENT PULLS HER OVER ON TOP OF HIM FACING HIM. SHE IS STRETCHED OUT FULL LENGTH. TRENT CARESSES HER BACK AND SHOULDERS. SHE RELAXES AND STARTS TO DRIFT OFF. HE REALIZES IF THEY DON’T CLEAR UP THIS SEXUAL MESS TONIGHT, IT WILL BE THERE UNTIL THEY DO. HE MOVES HER SLIGHTLY. SHE WAKES UP AND APOLOGIZES. HE WAVES THE APOLOGY ASIDE. HE OFFERS A WAY FOR THEM TO MAKE LOVE WITHOUT A BIG FUSS ABOUT IT. HE SUGGESTS SHE REACH DOWN AND PLACE HIS MEMBER AT THE ENTRANCE TO HER. IT IS THEN UP TO HER TO MOVE. SHE DOES AS HE SUGGESTS; HE JUST LAYS THERE. SHE STARTS TO MOVE SLOWLY; HE FEELS LIKE HE IS BEING DRIVEN UP A WALL WILLINGLY, THOUGH. FINALLY, HE FEELS HER GO OVER. SHE GIGGLES IN WONDER, “IS THAT HOW IT GOES?“ “YES, BREE, THAT IS HOW IT GOES.“ YOU HAVE JUST HAD YOUR FIRST SELF-INDUCED CLIMAX WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM ME. “OH, MY.“ TRENT HOLDS HER TIGHT AS SHE COMES DOWN. HE STARTS HER RHYTHM AGAIN AND SHE QUICKLY CLIMBS. HE KEEPS MOVING THIS TIME. THEY GO OVER TOGETHER INTO CLIMAX. HE PULLS HER BACK DOWN ON HIM TO REST. SHE LIFTS HER HEAD, “THANK YOU.“ THEY MAKE LOVE LIKE THAT A FEW MORE TIMES. SHE FALLS ASLEEP IN HIS ARMS WHILE ON TOP. HE EASES HER OVER ONTO THE BED. SHE SLEEPS ON. HE CUDDLES HER CLOSE. SHE IS STILL SLEEPING WHEN HE WAKES UP. HE EASES OUT OF BED. HE GOES TO THE LIVING ROOM OF THE SUITE. HE CALLS ROOM SERVICE FOR COFFEE AND BREAKFAST. HE DEMANDS SILENCE WHEN THE WAITER KNOCKS. THE WAITER ARRANGES THE TABLE TO TRENT’S SATISFACTION. THE WAITER LEAVES; TRENT ARRANGES A PLATE FOR BOTH OF THEM. HE TAKES THE PLATE TO THE BEDROOM, COMES BACK FOR THE COFFEE. HE KISSES SABRINA AWAKE. SHE STRETCHES, “SORRY FOR SLEEPING SO LONG”. TRENT KISSES THE APOLOGY ASIDE. HE HANDS HER A CUP OF COFFEE; THEN STARTS FEEDING HER THE FOOD. THEY EAT BREAKFAST IN BED. THEY HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO START A CROSS COUNTRY HONEYMOON. THEIR PLANS CHANGE. THEY STAY AT THE HOTEL FOR THE WHOLE WEEK, GOING SIGHTSEEING LOCALLY. THE RENTAL CAR IS ROOMY. THEY ARRANGED DAILY PICNICS. WHEN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE HOTEL FIND OUT. THE STORY OF THE COUPLE, THE HOTEL DECIDES TO CUT THE RATE OF THE ROOM AS A WEDDING PRESENT TO THE COUPLE. THEY DECIDE NOT TO TELL ANYONE BACK HOME FOR AWHILE ABOUT THE DISCOVERY MADE AT THE AIRPORT. THEY HAD CALLED TABITHA NIGHTLY. THEY FLY HOME AT THE END OF THE WEEK. TABITHA MEETS THEM AT THE AIRPORT. SHE TAKES THEM TO TRENT’S HOUSE. TABITHA AND OTHER FEMALE FRIENDS HAVE MADE SURE THE HOUSE IS AIRED OUT, GROCERIES BOUGHT AND READY FOR THE NEWLYWEDS’ RETURN. THE MALE FRIENDS HAVE MADE SURE THE OUTDOOR STUFF IS DONE, ALSO. THE LAWN IS MOWED, THE CARS ARE SERVICED. SABRINA’S EXTRA FURNITURE HAS BEEN MOVED OVER DURING THE HONEYMOON-THE COUCH/HIDE-A-BED WENT INTO THE STUDY, HER BEDROOM SET WENT INTO THE SPARE ROOM. THE COUPLE ARRIVES HOME TO START THE NEW WORK WEEK. THEIR LIVES GO BACK TO NORMAL WITH A FEW SMALL CHANGES. SHE STILL BRINGS HOME WORK ON WEEKENDS. SHE ALLOCATES ONLY SATURDAY MORNING TO THAT. SHE MOVES ALL OF HER CLOTHING LEFT IN THE SPARE ROOM INTO HIS ROOM, THE FIRST SATURDAY AFTER THE WEDDING. THE SPARE ROOM BECOMES JUST A SPARE ROOM AGAIN. THE REST OF THE WEEKENDS ARE TRENT AND HERS TOGETHER. THEY GROCERY SHOP EVERY SUNDAY MORNING. SABRINA GOT HIM IN THE HABIT OF JOTTING DOWN WHAT THEY MIGHT NEED FROM THE STORE SO THEY HAVE A LIST TO GO BY. HE COOKS DINNER, SHE COOKS BREAKFAST. THEY TAKE TURNS COMING TO EACH OTHER FOR LUNCH. THE LOVE GROWS STRONGER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL AS TIME GOES. HE STILL HATES HER BRINGING WORK HOME BUT HE KNOWS HIS WIFE IS VERY DEDICATED TO HER JOB. HE KNOWS TIME AND FAMILY WILL CHANGE THAT. TABITHA ASKS TRENT TO WALK HER DOWN THE AISLE WHEN SHE MARRIES MATT. SABRINA IS ASKED TO BE THE MATRON OF HONOR. BOTH AGREE TO BE PART OF TABITHA AND MATT’S WEDDING. TABITHA GETS MARRIED TWO MONTHS AFTER SABRINA. IT HAS BEEN TWO YEARS SINCE THE BLIND DATE., SIX MONTHS SINCE THE WEDDING OF TRENT AND SABRINA. ONCE AGAIN, TRENT PLANS A BLIND DATE REPEAT. HE ARRIVES HOME FIRST LIKE USUAL ON FRIDAYS. TRENT ARRIVES HOME LATER THAN SABRINA THE REST OF THE WEEK. HE KNOWS SABRINA HAD A DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT THIS AFTERNOON. HE GOES AHEAD WITH HIS SHOWER. HE IS CHECKING MESSAGES WHEN HE HEARS HER KEY IN THE DOOR. SHE IS HOME AT 5 ON THE DOT WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL. IT HAS BECOME HABIT TO GREET HER ON FRIDAYS WITH A CAN OF PEPSI; IT IS JUST AS MUCH A HABIT FOR SABRINA TO GREET HIM THE SAME WAY THE REST OF THE WEEK. SABRINA REFUSES THE PEPSI THIS TIME AND ASKS IF THEY HAVE ANY BOTTLED WATER LEFT IN THE HOUSE. SABRINA ASKS IF THERE ARE ANY PRESSING MESSAGES TO RETURN. “NOTHING THAT CAN’T WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW. GO TAKE YOUR SHOWER. RESERVATIONS ARE AT 7:00 p.m.” SHE TAKES HER SHOWER, DRESSES AND IS READY BY 6:15. THEY WALK DOWN TO THE CAR. HE DRIVES THEM TO THE RESTAURANT. THIS TIME, TRENT IS THE ONE GETTING A SURPRISE. SABRINA HAS STOPPED IN BEFORE GOING HOME. SHE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE HIS DESSERT MADE SPECIAL WITH A PACIFIER ON THE TOP. THE HOSTESS GREETS THEM AS USUAL, “THE SAME TABLE AS ALWAYS?” TRENT SAYS, “YES.” THE WAITER KNOWS THE ROUTINE FOR THIS COUPLE BY NOW. THEY ORDER THE SAME THING EVERY YEAR SO HE DOESN’T ASK FOR THE ORDER; HE JUST PLACES IT WITH THE KITCHEN. HE IS SPECIALLY REQUESTED EVERY YEAR BY THEM. THEY GET TO THE DESSERT. TRENT IS BLINDFOLDED; THE WAITER BRINGS THE PIES FROM THE COOLER. THE BLINDFOLD IS REMOVED. TRENT LOOKS AT HIS PIE, LOOKS AT SABRINA AND BACK AT HIS PIE. SABRINA NODS. “THE DOCTOR SAYS I AM DUE IN SIX MONTHS.” TRENT CAN’T BELIEVE HIS GOOD FORTUNE. HE HAS A FABULOUS WIFE AND NOW A BABY ON WAY. TRENT WONDERS IF DANCING WILL HARM THE BABY. “THE DOCTOR SAYS I AM AS HEALTHY AS AN OX.” THEY DECIDE TO GO DANCING BUT TO KEEP IT SHORT THIS TIME. THEY GET TO THE NIGHTCLUB. TABITHA KNEW SABRINA HAD AN APPOINTMENT TODAY SO TABS IS WAITING FOR THE ANSWER. SHE SEES IT IN SABRINA’S FACE. TABITHA SCREAMS IN JOY. TABITHA’S HUSBAND, MATT, IS JUST COMING ON DUTY AS THE NIGHTCLUB’S BOUNCER WHEN HE HEARS THE SCREAM. MATT COMES RUNNING. HE FINDS OUT THE NEWS AND CONGRATULATES THEM BOTH. MATT GOES ON TO HIS DUTIES WHILE TRENT AND SABRINA FIND A TABLE. THE D.J. SEES THEM SIT DOWN. HE PLAYS THEIR SONG FOR THEM TO DANCE TO. HE NOTICES A GLOW ABOUT THE COUPLE TONIGHT. TABITHA GETS A MESSAGE TO THE D.J. ABOUT THE BABY. THE D.J. ANNOUNCES THAT A COUPLE IN THE CLUB JUST FOUND OUT THEY ARE EXPECTANT PARENTS. THE MAN MENTIONS NO NAMES. BY 9:30p.m., SABRINA IS YAWNING; TRENT PICKS HER IN HIS ARMS. HE CARRIES HER TO THE DOOR. TABITHA GETS HER COAT AND ESCORTS HIM OUT SO SHE CAN UNLOCK HIS DOOR. SABRINA FUSSES A LITTLE BUT TRENT SHUSHES HER. THEY DRIVE HOME. TRENT PULLS THE CAR STRAIGHT INTO THE GARAGE. HE GOES DOWN TO THE STREET AND PULLS HER CAR INTO THE GARAGE. SHE ALWAYS LEAVES HER CAR ON THE STREET UNTIL THEY DECIDE IF THEY ARE GOING ANYWHERE. SHE IS ALREADY IN FRONT OF THE FIREPLACE IN HER USUAL LOCATION. SHE IS READING THE MAIL. THE STEREO IS SOFTLY PLAYING IN THE BACKGROUND. TRENT BRINGS HER CASE IN FROM THE CAR, LAYS HER BRIEFCASE ON THE COUNTER. HE GRABS TWO WATER BOTTLES FROM THE FRIDGE, FINDS HIS WAY TO THE LIVING ROOM. SHE LEANS FORWARD SO HE CAN SLIDE BEHIND HER. HE HANDS HER THE WATER AS SHE HANDS HIM THE MAIL. THEY DISCUSS THE MAIL AND PLANS FOR THE WEEKEND. HE STROKES HER HAIR WHILE THEY TALK. HE NOTICES HER SPEECH GETTING MORE SLURRED. HE KNOWS BY NOW WHAT TIME IT IS. HE GENTLY SHAKES HER AWAKE. SHE GETS UP AND HEADS FOR THE BEDROOM. HE FOLLOWS AFTER BANKING THE FIRE, AND DOING THE NECESSARY LOCK UP TASKS. HE ENTERS THE BEDROOM TO FIND HER ALREADY SOUND ASLEEP. HE JUST STANDS THERE, WATCHING HER. HE STILL CAN’T BELIEVE HIS LUCK. HE FOLLOWS HER TO BED. SHE SNUGGLES AGAINST HIM AS SOON AS HE IS IN BED. THE NEXT MORNING, HE WAKES UP FIRST. HE SLIPS QUIETLY OUT OF BED. HE WALKS TO THE KITCHEN TO START THEIR COFFEE. HE TAKES THE PHONE OUT TO THE DECK TO MAKE A CALL. TRENT CALLS HER BOSS. TRENT ASKS FOR A FAVOR OF SABRINA’S WORK LOAD BEING LIGHTENED. TRENT KNOWS SHE COULD STILL HANDLE THE WORK BUT HE WANTS HER TO START LIGHTING UP. THE BOSS AGREES AND SAYS SABRINA HAD ALREADY ASKED FOR THE SAME THING THE DAY BEFORE. SHE WAS PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE. SABRINA WAS GOING TO ANNOUNCE TONIGHT AT THE BANQUET THAT SHE WAS TAKING ON AN ASSISTANT AND WHY. TRENT SAYS, “THANK YOU,” AND HANGS UP. TRENT WALKS IN, POURS THE COFFEE AND HEADS FOR THE BEDROOM. SABRINA IS JUST STARTING TO MOVE AROUND. HE SETS HER COFFEE DOWN ON THE BEDSIDE TABLE AND LEAVES. HE TAKES HIS CUP OUT ON THE DECK. SHE SOON FOLLOWS. THEY SIT AND WATCH THE BIRDS. TRENT ASKS, “IF SHE MINDS HIM STARTING TO MOVE THE FURNITURE AROUND?” “I WANT THE TRANSITION FROM COUPLE TO FAMILY TO BE SLOW.” SABRINA AGREES. TRENT GOES IN, MAKES A FEW PHONE CALLS. THE PLANS ARE PUT INTO ACTION STARTING THE NEXT MONDAY MORNING. SABRINA SPENDS THE SATURDAY MORNING WORKING IN THE STUDY. TRENT KNOCKS ON THE STUDY DOOR WHEN LUNCH IS READY. SABRINA CLOSES HER FILES, SLIPS THEM BACK INTO THE BRIEFCASE. SHE WALKS OUT TO THE KITCHEN TO FIND A SIMPLE LUNCH WAITING FOR HER. TRENT MADE A SALAD. THEY EAT LUNCH; SHE DOES THE DISHES. SABRINA IS READY FOR THE BANQUET IN PLENTY OF TIME THIS YEAR. ON THE WAY TO THE BANQUET, TRENT ASKS HER, “WHY DIDN’T SHE GET A PREGNANCY TEST DONE SOONER?” “TRENT, I WANTED TO BE SURE. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF CHANGES OCCUR THIS YEAR.” THEY ENTER THE COUNTRY CLUB TOGETHER. TRENT TAKES HER COAT TO THE CHECKER. SABRINA STARTS TO MINGLE. TRENT MOVES TO HER SIDE. HER SECRETARY QUIETLY ASKS IF SABRINA IS. SABRINA NODS AND THAT IS ALL THAT IS MENTIONED OF IT FOR NOW. THE DINNER IS ANNOUNCED. SABRINA DOESN’T EAT MUCH. SHE IS NERVOUS ONCE AGAIN. SHE IS ANNOUNCED. SHE STEPS UP TO THE PODIUM AND ANNOUNCES HER SECRETARY BEING PROMOTED TO HER ASSISTANT. HER SECRETARY IS SHOCKED. THE COMPANY PRESIDENT, THEN, PROMOTES TWO OF THE TYPING POOL TYPISTS TO SECRETARIAL POSITIONS IN THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT UNDER SABRINA’S RULE. SABRINA ASKS FOR A FEW MINUTES AT THE END OF THE BANQUET. SHE ANNOUNCES TO THE ENTIRE COMPANY THAT SHE AND TRENT ARE EXPECTING IN SIX MONTHS. THE ENTIRE ROOM EXPLODES INTO SHOUTS OF JOY. THE WOMEN HUG AND KISS BOTH THE EXPECTANT PARENTS; THE MEN HUG SABRINA AND SHAKE TRENT’S HAND. SABRINA IS EMBARRASSED FOR THE ATTENTION. SHE HAS GROWN IN TRENT’S LOVE. THE COMPANY EXECUTIVES REALIZE SHE IS THE SAME WOMAN AS A FEW YEARS AGO BUT SHE IS ALSO DIFFERENT; MORE CONFIDENT. THE WOMEN ASK IF SHE IS REGISTERED FOR THE BABY. SHE SAYS, “NOT YET. WE JUST FOUND OUT FOR SURE TODAY.” THE NEXT DAY IS TRENT’S COMPANY PICNIC. TRENT STARTS TREATING HER LIKE A FRAGILE CHINA ENCASED IN COTTON.. SHE QUICKLY CHANGES HIS STYLE BACK TO THE OLD WAY OF JUST FRAGILE CHINA. SOME OF HIS COWORKERS WONDER ABOUT HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD HER. SABRINA QUICKLY TELLS EVERYONE THAT TRENT IS AN EXPECTANT FATHER. THE WOMEN HUG HER AND THEN, HIM. THE MEN JUST SHAKE HIS HAND. THE WOMEN ASK IF THERE ARE ANY PLANS IN THE WORKS FOR BABY SHOWERS AND HOW FAR ALONG IS SHE? SABRINA INFORMS THEM SHE IS THREE MONTHS ALONG AND NO PLANS FOR SHOWERS. SABRINA GETS REGISTERED AT ALL THE MAJOR STORES. SHE MAKES SURE TO NOTE SPECIAL SITUATION ON THE WISH LIST. HIS COMPANY PLANS A SHOWER IN TANDEM WITH SABRINA’S COMPANY. SABRINA GETS EVERYTHING ON HER WISH LIST. SHE GETS GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR FORMULA. ALL OF SHOWER ATTENDEES MAKE SURE THE BABY AND MOM ARE PROVIDED FOR. SABRINA GOES TO ALL OF HER PRENATAL APPOINTMENTS WITH TRENT. SHE SEES THE DOCTOR FOR THE FIRST MINUTES ALONE. AFTER THE FIRST PRENATAL VISIT, SHE KNOWS A SECRET THAT SHE DOESN’T WANT TO DISCUSS WITH TRENT QUITE YET. THE COWORKERS AT BOTH COMPANIES FIND OUT THE SECRET WHEN PLANNING THE SHOWER; BUT THEY ALL SWEAR TO SECRECY. TRENT DOES WONDER A LITTLE WHEN HE IS NEVER ALLOWED TO HEAR THE BABY’S HEARTBEAT OR SEE THE ULTRASOUNDS. TRENT WONDERS MORE WHEN THE BABY SHOWER PRESENTS START SHOWING UP IN THE NURSERY. SABRINA HAS STARTED LOCKING THE NURSERY DOOR UNTIL SHE FEELS THE TIME IS RIGHT TO UNVEIL HER SECRET. FINALLY, THE DAY OF DELIVERY ARRIVES. SABRINA HAS BEEN ON MATERNITY LEAVE FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS. THE FIRST DAY OF HER LEAVE; SABRINA TAKES TRENT’S HANDS, LEADS HIM INTO THE NURSERY. HE WAS ASKED BY HER TO SHUT HIS EYES. SHE TELLS HIM TO OPEN THEM NOW. HE OPENS THEM TO FIND TWO OF EVERYTHING IN THE NURSERY. TRENT TURNS TO LOOK AT HER. SHE NODS HER HEAD. “YES, TRENT, WE ARE HAVING TWINS.” “HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN?“ “THE FIRST PRENATAL VISIT, I HEARD TWO DISTINCTIVE HEARTBEATS. THE ULTRASOUNDS CONFIRMED IT.” “ SO THIS IS WHY TWO OF ALL THE MAJOR THINGS WERE APPEARING AND WHY WE HAVE TWICE AS MANY CLOTHES AS WE MIGHT EVER NEED?” “ARE YOU UPSET WITH ME, TRENT?“ “SABRINA, AFTER THESE COUPLE YEARS BACK TOGETHER, I KNOW YOU WILL TELL ME IN YOUR OWN WAY.” SABRINA SPENDS HER TWO WEEKS LEAVE PREPARING MENTALLY FOR THE TASK AHEAD. THE NINE MONTHS HAVE GONE BY QUICKLY. THE PREGNANCY, ITSELF IS A HUGE BREEZE. SABRINA GOES THRU THE PREGNANCY WITHOUT A PROBLEM. TRENT IS THE NERVOUS ONE. SABRINA GOES INTO LABOR RIGHT ON SCHEDULE. TRENT RUSHES HER TO THE HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL STAFF HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED TO EXPECT HER WHETHER SHE HAS GONE INTO ACTIVE LABOR OR NOT. IT IS IRONIC IN THAT SHE GOES INTO LABOR THE DAY, SHE WAS SCHEDULED TO HAVE A C-SECTION; SHE HOPES THAT SHE CAN DELIVER NATURAL. SHE IS PREPPED FOR NATURAL. SABRINA MENTIONS TO TRENT, “THAT MAYBE SHE CAN FINALLY SEE HER FEET AGAIN.” THE DOCTORS COME IN TO CHECK HER. EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD TO GO. HER WATER BREAKS ON IT’S OWN A FEW HOURS AFTER ARRIVAL. THE DOCTORS REMIND HER SHE CAN GO C-SECTION. BREE SAYS, “NO, UNLESS THE BABIES ARE IN DANGER.” THE DOCTORS LOOK AT THE MONITORS; EVERYTHING LOOKS FINE STILL. THE PAINS START GETTING MORE FREQUENT AND STRONGER. THE DOCTORS TELL TRENT TO GET READY FOR THE VERBAL ABUSE. TRENT SAYS, “NO, SABRINA WILL BE CALM AND IN CONTROL. I HAVE SEEN HER OUT OF CONTROL ONCE.” THE DOCTOR TELLS HER TO START PUSHING. TRENT HOLDS HER UP IN THE BACK AS SHE PUSHES. FIVE PUSHES LATER, THE FIRST HEAD APPEARS. SABRINA CONTINUES TO PUSH. NEXT PUSH, THE SHOULDERS COME FREE, AND ANOTHER HEAD CROWNS. THE SECOND BABY’S HEAD IS LAYING IN THE LAP OF THE FIRST. NEITHER INFANT IS IN DANGER THOUGH. THE SECOND SET OF SHOULDERS COMES FREE AND BOTH INFANTS ARE TOTALLY BORN. THE FIRST BORN IS A FEMALE NAMED ANASTASIA. THE SECOND BORN IS MALE NAMED ALEXEI. BOTH INFANTS ARE HEALTHY, GOOD WEIGHTS.

A nurse was on duty in the Emergency Room, when a young woman with purple hair styled into a punk rocker Mohawk, sporting a variety of tattoos, and wearing strange clothing, entered. It was quickly determined that the patient had acute appendicitis, so she was scheduled for immediate surgery  When she was completely disrobed on the operating table, the staff noticed that her pubic hair had been dyed green, and above it there was a tattoo that read, "Keep off the grass." Once the surgery was completed, the surgeon wrote a short note on the patient's dressing, which said, "Sorry, had to mow the lawn."